“Outing” the Researcher: The Provenance, Process, and Practice of Reflexivity

Finlay, Linda

doi:10.1177/104973202129120052

Cited by 1,937Qualitative Research Methods and EthicsQualitative Research Methods and ApplicationsPosthumanist Ethics and Activism

“Outing” the Researcher: The Provenance, Process, and Practice of Reflexivity

Finlay, Linda·2002·Qualitative Health Research

DOI 10.1177/104973202129120052

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Abstract

To increase the integrity and trustworthiness of qualitative research, researchers need to evaluate how intersubjective elements influence data collection and analysis. Reflexivity— where researchers engage in explicit, self-aware analysis of their own role—offers one tool for such evaluation. The process of engaging in reflexive analysis, however, is difficult, and its subjective, ambiguous nature is contested. In the face of challenges, researchers might retreat from engaging in the process. In this article, the author seeks to “out” the researcher’s presence by exploring the theory and practice of reflexivity. Examples from research illustrate its problematic potential.

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Reflexivity is a crucial concept and pivotal in qualitative research methodology.
“Reflexivity is acknowledged as a crucial concept and is pivotal in the methodology of qualitative research.”
From Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to qualitative social work research (2024) · cites this paper as Finlay, 2002
Reflexivity has become significant in the production of qualitative research, but the necessary techniques may not be clear.
“On the other hand, while reflexivity has become significant in the production of qualitative research, the necessary techniques may not be clear (Day, 2012), and it can be considered too subjective (Finlay, 2002) leading to questioning the validity of the research.”
From Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to qualitative social work research (2024) · cites this paper as Finlay, 2002
Reflection entails a subject-object analysis or subject 'I' analysis.
“Reflection entails a subject-object analysis or subject 'I' analysis as Finlay (2002) mentioned.”
From Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to qualitative social work research (2024) · cites this paper as Finlay, 2002
The researchers used reflexivity: C.A.M. and S.E.O. continually examined their beliefs, assumptions and motivations, and how these affected their research.
“As such, C.A.M. and S.E.O. continually examined their beliefs, assumptions and motivations, and how these affected their research.41”
From Women’s experiences of skin-to-skin cesarean birth compared to standard cesarean birth: a qualitative study (2021) · cites this paper as [41]

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Self-citation
Beyond the Mirror: Challenging the Common Assumptions of Reflexivity in Qualitative Research
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Authors: Finlay, L.
Affiliations: The Open University (GB)
Corresponding author: Finlay, Linda
Venue: Qualitative Health Research
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Published: 2002-04
Volume: 12
Issue: 4
Pages: 531-545
ISSN: 1049-7323 (ISSN-L)
1552-7557
DOI: 10.1177/104973202129120052
OpenAlex: W2133094746
Cited by: 1,937
References: 43
Citations by year: 2026: 345 · 2025: 184 · 2024: 125 · 2023: 121 · 2022: 113 · 2021: 119 · 2020: 94 · 2019: 115 · 2018: 77 · 2017: 77 · 2016: 76 · 2015: 85 · 2014: 79 · 2013: 59 · 2012: 56
FWCI: 27.36
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Licence: journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations: Qualitative Health Research (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
Social Sciences › Cultural Studies › Posthumanist Ethics and Activism
Keywords: reflexivity, researcher reflexivity, researcher presence, intersubjectivity, research trustworthiness, researcher positionality
MeSH terms: Data Collection, Evaluation Studies as Topic, Health Services Research, Research Design, Research Personnel, Professional Role

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“Outing” the Researcher: The Provenance, Process, and Practice of Reflexivity

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