Reflexivity in Qualitative Research

Definition and Importance

• Reflexivity: Reflecting on how a researcher's biases, experiences, and position influence their study.
• Crucial for qualitative research where researchers make decisions on data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
• Helps improve the credibility and trustworthiness of research work.

Questions to Consider

• How do personal beliefs or biases influence data interpretation?
• What role does the researcher play in the participant relationship?

Benefits of Reflexivity

• Increases awareness of personal biases and their influence on the study.
• Challenges assumptions about the phenomenon being studied.
• Documents engagement with data and participants for improved research integrity.

Types of Reflexivity

Personal Reflexivity

• Involves introspection into personal values, life experiences, and beliefs.
• Example: An Asian American researcher studying Asian American youth considers how their identity affects research interactions.

Functional Reflexivity

• Examines the researcher's role and decision-making process.
• Example: Reflecting on the shift to online data collection if interviews are canceled.

Ethical Reflexivity

• Focuses on ethical concerns with vulnerable groups.
• Example: Ensuring informed consent and rights when researching participants with disabilities.

Cultural/Intercultural Reflexivity

• Assesses cultural assumptions and biases in cross-cultural research.
• Example: Western researcher acknowledges cultural differences when studying in the Middle East.

Institutional Reflexivity

• Considers how institutional norms and policies influence research.
• Example: Staying vigilant about institutional influence on research funded by government bodies.

Strategies for Implementing Reflexivity

Research Journals

• Record thoughts, feelings, and reactions throughout the study.
• Acts as an ongoing discussion with oneself.

Peer Debriefing

• Involves discussing work with colleagues or peers to gain different perspectives and identify unnoticed biases.

Practical Examples

• Researcher of immigrant experiences journals personal immigration experiences and involves peer review.
• Researcher with ethical considerations for children with autism focuses on informed consent.
• Government-funded researcher remains aware of institutional reflexivity through neutral peer review.

Tools for Managing Reflexivity

• Delve Qualitative Analysis Tool: Allows recording of reflexive notes and supports peer debriefing.
  • Delve Memos for direct reflexive notes within codebooks.
  • Simple sharing function for remote peer debriefing.
• Free trial available at delvetool.com.

Conclusion

• Understanding and implementing reflexivity is essential in qualitative research to make informed decisions and organize the research process effectively.
• More resources and articles are available at deltool.com/guide.