Researching and writing from an African-American perspective: reflective notes on three research studies

The author discusses several culturally sensitive qualitative research approaches, revisits the Culturally Sensitive Research Framework, a theoretical framework for conducting culturally sensitive research in African-American communities and provides examples of research that has employed culturally sensitive approaches. The discussion then shifts to reflections on her use of the Culturally Sensitive Research Framework in three research studies: a case study of a first-year African-American teacher, the role of African-American principals in facilitating the professional and personal competence of novice teachers, and research on African-American parental engagement. The author concludes the article with reflections on situating herself as an indigenous-insider (and sometimes outsider) in the research process.