Cited by 157Qualitative Research Methods and EthicsQualitative Research Methods and ApplicationsSocial Work Education and Practice

The double arrow: How qualitative social work researchers use reflexivity

Probst, Barbara, Berenson, Laura·2014·Qualitative Social Work

Abstract

While much has been written about the central role of reflexivity in qualitative research, there has been no empirical study of how researchers actually ‘do’ reflexivity. As interest in qualitative research continues to grow, data is needed to operationalize and map what is assumed to be a hallmark of the qualitative paradigm. A study was thus conducted to explore the role and use of reflexivity in qualitative research. In-depth interviews were conducted with 34 qualitative social work researchers to gather information about the use of specific reflexive activities at various points in the research process. Participants were from eight countries, with the majority (65%) from the US, and included researchers utilizing diverse methods and with varying degrees of experience. Interviewees described a wide array of activities, formal and informal, conducted alone or with others, that they utilized to support reflexivity; most also stated that they made use of reflexive actions as the need arose, depending on the nature of the project, rather than in a systematic way. Although the study generated a catalog of reflexive activities, ultimately the mechanism of reflexivity may not lie in the specific activity but in the attitude with which it is carried out.

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Crossref · 10.1177/1473325013506248

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Authors
Probst, B., & Berenson, L.
Affiliations
Smith College (US)
Corresponding author
Probst, Barbara
Venue
Qualitative Social Work
Published
2013-10-31
Volume
13
Issue
6
Pages
813-827
ISSN
  • 1473-3250 (ISSN-L)
  • 1741-3117
OpenAlex
W2129172777
Cited by
157
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 19 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 22 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 2
FWCI
14.45
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Qualitative Social Work (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Fordham University
  • Nature
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
  • Social Sciences › Education › Qualitative Research Methods and Applications
  • Social Sciences › Public Administration › Social Work Education and Practice
Keywords
reflexivity, qualitative research, reflexive practice, researcher self-awareness, research process, reflexive activity, researcher attitudes

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