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While the politics of the value of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies focuses on validity, generalizability and reliability, this paper presents a discussion on the ‘positionality’ of the researcher in qualitative research. It reports on the ideas explored at a one day qualitative research day conference at Ewha Womans University, Seoul, South Korea on 15th July 2015. Qualitative research methodologies in health research are outlined and located within both contemporary policy and theoretical arenas. The main assertion of this paper is that qualitative research involving human interaction between researchers and participants is always a co-constructed activity. The ‘positionality’ of the researcher is located as always ‘inside’ the research study. The objectivity of a positivist approach to qualitative research is challenged and, using examples from two primary research studies, the ‘space between’ the researcher and research participant is explored when socio-cultural space is both narrow and conversely, when it is very wide.

Purpose: The current paper aims to present four studies which investigated whether hermeneutic phenomenological research writing provided opportunities for intellectual reflection and development in 15 participants who received their Masters or/and Doctorate degrees in Art Psychotherapy. Methods: 111 pieces of writing, 65 images and 8 poems representing experiences framed by a hermeneutic phenomenological approach were collected between June 2015 and February 2017. Results: The findings from the four studies relate to fundamental themes and demonstrate how participants were able to experience a more perceptive reflection on the content of their graduate studies with the passing of time after graduation. Conclusion: It is thus further implied that qualitative research, with its highly adaptable and flexible qualities, can be taken beyond its use as a methodology into additional developmental possibilities.