Reflexivity In Qualitative Research

All qualitative research is contextual; it occurs within a specific time and place between two or more people. If a researcher clearly describes the intersecting contextual relationships between the participants and themselves (reflexivity), it increases the credibility of the findings and deepens our understanding of the work. The issues surrounding the researchers’ reflexivity are many and complex; however, journal publication space for discussing them may be very limited. Therefore the researcher is responsible for succinctly and clearly addressing these issues so the reader can evaluate the research. Some of the ways that researchers can address reflexivity are discussed.

Introduction

Qualitative research is a research methodological approach that seeks to understand the complexities of human experiences, behaviours, and social phenomena. One crucial element that distinguishes qualitative research from other research methods is reflexivity. Reflexivity refers to the researcher’s awareness and critical examination of their own role, biases, and subjectivity throughout the research process. It recognizes that the researcher is an active participant in shaping the research and that their perspectives and background can influence the interpretation of medical data collection and findings.

Reflexivity in qualitative research serves several important purposes:

1. Acknowledging the Researcher’s Influence: Researchers are not neutral observers but active participants in the research process. They bring their own backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs to the study, which can shape their perceptions and interpretations. Reflexivity prompts researchers to recognize their biases and subjectivity, enabling them to take a more introspective stance and consider how their perspectives may influence the experimental research process and outcomes.
2. Enhancing Validity and Credibility: Reflexivity helps ensure the trustworthiness and rigour of qualitative research. By openly addressing their own positionality, researchers provide transparency about their potential biases and assumptions. This transparency allows readers and other researchers to critically evaluate the research findings and consider the potential impact of the researcher’s perspectives on the interpretation of data. Reflexivity adds credibility to the research by demonstrating the researcher’s commitment to transparency and intellectual honesty.
3. Improving Data Collection: Reflexivity affects the data collection process in qualitative research. Reflexive researchers are more likely to engage in active listening, attentive observation, and probing questioning during interviews, focus groups, or participant observation. They know how their presence and actions may influence participants’ responses and behaviour. Reflexivity helps researchers adapt their approach, allowing for more nuanced and comprehensive data collection.
4. Shaping Data Analysis: Reflexivity extends into the qualitative research data analysis phase. Researchers who engage in reflexive practices are more conscious of their interpretations and potential biases when coding, categorizing, and analyzing data. They critically reflect on how their own assumptions and preconceptions may shape their interpretation of the findings. Reflexivity prompts researchers to question their own biases and consider alternative explanations or interpretations, ultimately enhancing the depth and richness of the analysis.
5. Fostering Ethical Considerations: Reflexivity supports ethical practices in qualitative systematic review research. It encourages researchers to reflect on their ethical obligations to participants and consider potential power imbalances. By critically examining their role and position, researchers can be more attuned to representation, confidentiality, and participant well-being issues. Reflexivity helps ensure that the research process respects the rights and autonomy of participants, leading to more ethical and responsible research outcomes.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, reflexivity is an essential component of qualitative research methodology. It recognizes the dynamic relationship between the researcher and the researched and acknowledges the researcher’s subjectivity and influence. By engaging in reflexive practices, researchers enhance their research’s validity, credibility, and ethical integrity. Reflexivity prompts critical self-reflection, enabling researchers to navigate their biases and assumptions, Pubrica enriching the data collection and analysis process, and ultimately contributing to a more robust and nuanced understanding of the researched phenomena.

References

Dodgson JE. Reflexivity in Qualitative Research. Journal of Human Lactation. 2019;35(2):220-222. doi:10.1177/0890334419830990