NVivo as a reflexive tool for insider-researchers: early observations from an ongoing study

Purpose This general review paper examines the use of NVivo, specifically its memo function, as a reflexive tool for insider-researchers in qualitative studies. It draws on the author's ongoing study, Connecting through Creativity. This study will be used as the case study to offer early observations on how NVivo's memo function might support structured reflexivity and address the gap identified in the literature regarding software support for reflective practice among insider-researchers. Design/methodology/approach Part 1 of this article reviews formative literature on reflexivity, insider-research and NVivo. Part 2 provides preliminary observations from the author's use of the software within the current study, demonstrating how NVivo's memo function operates in practice. Part 3 concludes with strengths, limitations and recommendations for future practice. Although this article does not focus primarily on the advantages and disadvantages of being an insider-researcher per se, reflections on NVivo will lead to discussions of this where relevant. Note: as per the Emerald Publishing ethics policy, Claude-AI was used to assist in proofing, editing, formatting. Findings Within this current study, early use of NVivo's memo function has supported reflections on assumptions, emotions and insider knowledge. While provisional, these reflections suggest NVivo can make reflexivity more visible and actionable by offering a structured, software-based complement to manual reflective approaches. Findings also indicate the potential of NVivo to help researchers track and interrogate the specific advantages or disadvantages of insider positioning, particularly when applied across data collection and analysis. However, this article also acknowledged the limitations of relying on NVivo for reflexivity because it could limit active, deliberate and critical reflective thinking and should not be used passively. Research limitations/implications The current study remains in its early stages, and so the findings included to support the article may not yet capture the full effect of using NVivo in this way. Further research is needed across disciplines with insider-researchers to substantiate these initial impressions. Originality/value This general review paper offers a practice-based account of using NVivo to manage the complexities of insider-research within an ongoing qualitative study. While existing literature addresses NVivo's analytical functions, there is comparatively little work centring researcher reflexivity, and less still focused on the insider-researcher specifically. This article contributes preliminary, applied insights to this underexplored intersection.