Reflexivity: An Indispensable Tool for Self-Awareness in Qualitative Inquiry
Exploring the power of reflection, critical thinking, and positionality, and with the transformative practice of journaling.
“But what does Socrates say? ‘Just as one person delights in improving his farm, and another his horse, so I delight in attending to my own improvement day by day.’” - Epictetus, Discourses, 3.5.14
ATTN qualitative Inquisitor,
Welcome back!
August is over, it is the end of the summer, and class is back in session!
I hope it was a productive, relaxing and rejuvenating summer for you.
In our last edition, I wrote about harnessing creativity and authenticity in qualitative research methods. In this edition, I provide a glimpse into one of my most treasured topics in qualitative research: Reflection.
Reflexivity is vital for a growth mindset in our personal and professional development. It becomes a crucial component of the research process. Reflection adds credibility and rigor to our work, but also builds humility, patience, and a grand sense of self-awareness that cultivates our research inquiries.
Building on our previous discussion about creativity and authenticity, I was reminded about its connection to reflexivity, particularly when exploring the transformative power of journaling to enhance our research practice. In this edition, I will also discuss journaling and blogging as a reflexive tool. Before I get to that, let us explore a little more about reflexivity.
What is Reflexivity?
Reflexivity is a growing concept for qualitative research methods in the humanities and social sciences, as scholars recognize the need for greater self-awareness in the research process. It involves a critical examination of how our worldviews, biases, and assumptions influence our interpretation of data and engagement with subjects (Perry and May, 2017). Reflections can be on the research alongside our own influence on the research process (Olmos-Vega et al, 2022). Reflexive practices are applied to enhance one’s credibility, validate practices, and improve the quality and rigor of the research (Pillow, 2003).
Reflexivity is vital in the process for qualitative research, involving “thoughtful, conscious, self-awareness” and the influence of our subjectivity and positionality during the research process (Findlay, 2002). Engaging in this process involves continuous, iterative, reflective practices that increase the rigor and credibility of findings and deepen our understanding of the contextual nuance (Olmos-Vega, 2022).
As qualitative researchers, reflexivity serves as a vital compass, guiding us in navigating both the self and our research, especially when working with human subjects. Reflexivity allows us to comprehend how our identities, experiences, and perspectives shape our research, ensuring that our work remains authentic and ethically grounded through a strong commitment to self-awareness.
Positionality: Embracing Researcher Bias and Influence
As qualitative Inquisitors, we inevitably bring our perspectives—shaped by our backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences—into the research process.
This fascinating phenomenon is known as Positionality.
Positionality and reflexivity are intrinsically linked. To adopt a truly reflexive approach in research, one must first clarify their positionality.
Positionality refers to the context of both the researcher and the research inquiry (Holmes, 2020). This includes the researcher’s social, political, and cultural background, as well as their identity. In qualitative research, positionality shapes the boundaries of the study, influences motivations, guides interactions, and impacts how data is created and interpreted. It enhances the rigor and depth of research by addressing power dynamics between the researcher and participants (Lu and Hodge, 2019).
Scholars have highlighted how the positionality of both the researcher and the research informant—or human subject—can improve the study's rigor (Piedra, 2023). Our positionality inevitably affects our interpretations and interactions with participants. Reflexivity enables us to identify and acknowledge these biases, encouraging us to turn inward and consider how they shape our research choices and, ultimately, our findings.
Journaling as a Reflexive Practice
There are various ways to operationalize reflexivity, and one effective approach to understanding our positionality is through the practice of journaling. Journaling is powerful, confessional tool for reflexivity. Scholars have noted the confessional nature of Reflexivity (Willow, 2003; Van Maanen, 1989), as it allows us to document our thoughts, feelings, and observations throughout the research journey. It creates a space for introspection, helping us uncover hidden biases and gain deeper insights into our work.
Through regular journaling, we engage in an ongoing, important dialogue with ourselves, nurturing a sense of self-awareness that is crucial for authenticity in our research.
Personally, I apply Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages technique, which she discusses in her well-known book, The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity. This technique involves writing three pages of stream-of-consciousness by hand every morning. The purpose is to clear your mind before starting your day, and, when practiced consistently, it becomes a habit as well as a powerful tool for self-discovery. I highly recommend this approach to advance reflexivity.
Incorporating creative writing into our journaling can further enrich our research process. Whether through poetry, narrative, or freewriting, creative writing enables us to explore our research experiences in a more expressive and nuanced manner. Qualitative inquiry gives us the freedom to break from conventional structures and embrace the fluidity of our thoughts, ultimately enhancing our understanding of the research dynamics.
Blogging as a Reflexive Tool
In the last edition, I noted how I began a blog during my PhD program to support my self-apprenticeship and to help overcome my “imposter syndrome.”
Blogging offers another powerful avenue for reflexivity, facilitating a personal as well as a public reflection experience. By sharing our reflexive insights with a wider audience, we invite feedback and engage in conversations that can improve our research and build community. Blogging encourages us to articulate our thoughts more clearly and consider diverse perspectives, ultimately strengthening our research practice.
However, public reflection through blogging can also present challenges. While blogging serves as an excellent tool for self-apprenticeship in all forms of writing, researchers and academics should consider taking caution for confidentiality and anonymity. It's important to ensure that our reflections remain constructive and ethical, particularly when blogging about fieldwork, where respecting the privacy and dignity of research participants is crucial.
Despite these challenges, blogging remains a valuable tool that supports a culture of reflexivity within the research community. It allows us to embrace transparency, invite dialogue, and refine our thinking, all while contributing to the larger academic discourse.
Reflexive Practices for Critical Thinking in International Development
Throughout my research journey in international development, I have recognized the need for more intentional implementation of reflexivity in development interventions to achieve the transformative impact organizations seek in communities.
On a personal level, as well as within the larger community of development practitioners, engaging in reflexive practice can significantly influence both our work and research efforts. During my fieldwork, personal journaling allowed me to recognize my own biases and remain conscious of how my identity, cultural background, and positionality shaped my participant observations, interactions with research informants, and overall cultural immersion.
In addition to the personal journaling, during the first half of my second fieldwork assessment, I practiced some travel blogging on my professional blog, reflecting on my experiences.
Here is a piece from one such reflection upon returning from my Pakistan Fieldwork: Post-Pakistan Fieldwork Reflection and Moving Forward
Developing a sense of self-awareness allowed me to adjust my approach in the field, fostering more open and authentic dialogue with informants through semi-structured and open-ended interviews. Journaling and blogging my journey in the field also aided the analytical process, particularly during coding and analysis.
Reflexivity challenges established narratives, enabling us to critically examine our biases and uncover alternative perspectives and frameworks. By doing so, we can bring greater nuance and depth to our findings.
Reflexivity Journal Prompts
The following prompts can help support your reflections.
Please feel free to share them with me too!
Reflect on a time when your personal experiences shaped your understanding of a research topic. How did this influence your perspective?
Name one creative method you use to reflect on your research process, and how has it helped you gain new insights?
Describe a moment when journaling or creative writing led to a breakthrough in your research. What was the insight you gained?
Take a moment to reflect on your summer. Jot down the positive experiences and productive moments that stood out. Then, list anything you wished you could have accomplished but now feel you have a head start on for the upcoming fall.
The Ongoing Journey with Reflexivity
Reflexivity is an iterative, never-ending process, that demands ongoing self-awareness and reflection. By embracing journaling, blogging, and creative writing as tools for reflexivity, we can enhance the authenticity and quality of our research.
Our work as researchers is not only about exploring the external world but also about discovering ourselves.
A strong body of research highlights the importance of reflexivity and positionality, and I encourage qualitative Inquisitors to make this a foundational element of their work.
And as you embark on your own reflexive journey, I invite you to integrate the habit of journaling into your research practice. Embrace the introspection that accompanies your research and allow it to guide you toward deeper insights and ethical integrity.
Please find citations/references here on the Resources page.
Join The Qualitative Inquisition!
Thank you for joining me in my brief exploration of reflexivity in qualitative research. I hope to continue this discussion of reflexivity, creativity, and authenticity in qualitative methods in future editions.
I’d love to hear from you! If you have any feedback about the first six editions of this newsletter, it would be most appreciated.
I remain excited to explore the possibilities with The Qualitative Inquisition!
A Logistical Update: I'm finding that the various aspects of this newsletter—research, writing, and production—make it challenging to deliver more frequent editions at this time. I hope this changes soon. One possible adjustment is to maintain this primary newsletter format while introducing 2-3 shorter, complementary editions throughout the month, allowing for a more feasible structure and manageable length.
Let me know what you think!
I hope this fall will be a good opportunity for us to restart our writing and research journeys in the new academic year!
And I hope you do find inspiration in the approaches I explore for your own work.
Thank you for tuning in and have a smooth start to a new month!
Happy September, and Happy National Suicide Prevention Month!
I look forward to sharing some reflections on Suicide Prevention Month in the next issue.
In Solidarity,
Your fellow qualitative Inquisitor,
Dr. Elsa
Top News Roundup
US Politics
Class in Session - Universities are Cracking Down and Free Speech on Gaza
Green Party Dr. Jill Stein’s Platform and Ballot Access
Here’s a personal reflection piece on Medium where I share 4 third party/independent choices (anti-genocide candidates) and their platforms. This is to share another perspective, for fostering democracy.
U.S. Election Tracker - Donald Trump losing lead in the Election
Kamala Harris Becomes the Democratic Presidential Candidate
Palestinian Exclusion Shows the Limits of Kamala Harris’s Politics of Joy
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Other World News:
Decrease Threat of larger war in Middle East
Fear of Iran Attack on Israel lingers
Israel’s Gaza Genocide Updates
Gaza sees First Polio Case in 25 Years
Pakistan and India’s Independence Day
Afghanistan’s Three-Year’s Under Taliban Rule and International Inaction
Widespread Human Rights Violations on Third Anniversary of Taliban Resurgence
I had a few general and personal reflections on this unfortunate milestone HERE.
A New Level of Gender Apartheid and Public Erasure for Women of Afghanistan
One year after Imran Khan’s imprisonment, the Legendary Cricketeer faces Military Court Trial
Bangladesh Gets a Political Reset but Big Economic Challenges Remain
Sudan - 500 Days of Death, Devastation, and Destruction
The New Humanitarian Aid and Policy Cheat Sheet
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Academic Book Recommendation
Reflexivity: The Essential Guide, by Tim May and Beth Perry
This book provides an introductory and comprehensive exploration of reflexivity in social sciences, in theory and practice, that could be valuable for beginners and experts.
Professional Development Book Recommendation
Anti-Fragile, Things That Gain from Disorder, Nassim Nicholas Taleh
The notion of “anti-fragility” is where systems, entities, and ideas thrive and strengthen when exposed to chaos and volatility. This book addresses how we can cultivate a sense of resilience, adapt to uncertainty, and leverage our challenges to become stronger in our work. This remains a highly relevant book for personal and professional growth at an individual and collective level.
The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity, by Julia Cameron
I believe this book would have also been a great recommendation for the last edition on creativity as well! I recommend this here, especially with my reference to Julia Cameron’s Morning Pages’ technique earlier. This book is perfect for reflexivity. The 12-week program would be a promising program to complete by the end of the year. I made it to the 4th week and the 6th week in the second attempt. So, I may just try again myself!
What were some of your favorite reads this Summer?
Share in the comments!
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TRIVIA
What ancient Greek philosopher famously said, "Know thyself," highlighting the importance of self-awareness?
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Answers from the Previous Edition’s Trivia Question:
Question: Who is the influential educational theorist, celebrated for pioneering the concept of 'Artful Inquiry,' which integrates artistic practices into research to enhance creativity in academia?
At which university did this visionary of arts and education teach?
Answer: Eliot Eisner, Stanford University
Quote of the Month
“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain