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<noinclude>{{RECOUP_header|Qualitative_research/handout_on_reflexivity/handout}}</noinclude>== | <noinclude>{{RECOUP_header|Qualitative_research/handout_on_reflexivity/handout}}</noinclude>== What is Reflexivity? == | ||
Even quantitative social research is different from setting up an experiment in a chemistry lab, with calibrated equipment making standardised measurements. Qualitative social research is even more different, because: | Even quantitative social research is different from setting up an experiment in a chemistry lab, with calibrated equipment making standardised measurements. Qualitative social research is even more different, because: | ||
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'''All''' social research, especially qualitative social research, hinges on '''social relationships: ''' | '''All''' social research, especially qualitative social research, hinges on '''social relationships: ''' | ||
* They are affected by''' interpersonal dynamics''' | * They are affected by '''interpersonal dynamics''' and | ||
* The researcher''' AND '''researched''' | * The researcher '''AND''' researched ''' 'co-produce' social encounters.''' | ||
This requires us to be reflexive about our research: | This requires us to be reflexive about our research: | ||
'''Reflexivity is reflecting, or thinking critically, carefully, honestly and openly, about the research experience and process.''' | |||
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* Practicing reflexivity '''effectively''' is '''difficult and complex''' | * Practicing reflexivity '''effectively''' is '''difficult and complex''' | ||
* Reflexivity exposes the '''messiness''', the loose ends of research (and of life itself) | * Reflexivity exposes the '''messiness''', the loose ends of research (and of life itself) | ||
* Because researchers and researched are rarely social/economic '''equals''' (caste, community, age, disability, gender, class) keep in mind the risks of reproducing relations of '''exploitation''' or '''disempowerment''' within the research. For instance, what might be the impact of an urban educated, | * Because researchers and researched are rarely social/economic '''equals''' (caste, community, age, disability, gender, class) keep in mind the risks of reproducing relations of '''exploitation''' or '''disempowerment''' within the research. For instance, what might be the impact of an urban educated, 'middle class' researcher studying poor, relatively uneducated communities? | ||
* Research is an '''emotional experience''' (curiosity, shock, anger or sadness): how do we deal with this '''during''' as well as '''after''' doing the research? | * Research is an '''emotional experience''' (curiosity, shock, anger or sadness): how do we deal with this '''during''' as well as '''after''' doing the research? | ||
* We need to examine the ''' | * We need to examine the ''' 'taken-for-granted' understandings''' of researchers and researched alike by 'making the familiar strange' | ||
Reflexivity should ''not ''be: | Reflexivity should ''not'' be: | ||
* Inward-looking, self-indulgent, catharsis, or confessional; or | * Inward-looking, self-indulgent, catharsis, or confessional; or | ||
* Installing the | * Installing the researcher's self at the centre of research, and failing to focus on the research context and participants. | ||
== | == Reflexivity in research practice == | ||
A research journal or diary can be useful for you to write your reflections on the research process. Entries in your research journal can be made at the end of each day, and are usually separate to your field notes. | A research journal or diary can be useful for you to write your reflections on the research process. Entries in your research journal can be made at the end of each day, and are usually separate to your field notes. | ||
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* Did you feel that the interview was generating '''reliable''' information? Or were people wary of your questions? | * Did you feel that the interview was generating '''reliable''' information? Or were people wary of your questions? | ||
== | == Ethics and Reflexivity == | ||
Your research participants may reveal information about illegal activities, moral judgements about other people, gossip and hearsay about other people. In your research diary, reflect on ethical dilemmas raised by information given during your research. How are you to act ethically? Are any adjustments required by you or your research in order to be sensitive to participants? What does such information imply for your research questions? | Your research participants may reveal information about illegal activities, moral judgements about other people, gossip and hearsay about other people. In your research diary, reflect on ethical dilemmas raised by information given during your research. How are you to act ethically? Are any adjustments required by you or your research in order to be sensitive to participants? What does such information imply for your research questions? | ||
