The DOI matches its Crossref record; 38 of the 42 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
A Reflexive Lens: Exploring Dilemmas of Qualitative Methodology Through the Concept of Reflexivity
Open accessAbstract
Reflexivity has emerged as a central and critical concept in the methodology of qualitative social research. However, the concept of reflexivity is defined and taken up in a wide variety of ways, and the assumptions underlying each incarnation have particular implications for research outcomes. This paper argues that these various conceptualizations of reflexivity offer the qualitative researcher a critical lens through which to analyze key methodological dilemmas. Exploring the concept of reflexivity in its various forms provides an entry-point for understanding key dilemmas in the epistemology of qualitative methodology, qualitative research relationships, and the evaluation of qualitative research. These dilemmas present important challenges in terms of the complex issues of power, knowledge production and subjectivity. This paper thus demonstrates that a reflexive exploration of methodological dilemmas can provide a starting point for assessing the consequences and transformative potential of our qualitative research.
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“Furthermore, reflexivity involves an observation of the power imbalance between researcher and participant.”
From Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to qualitative social work research (2024) · cites this paper as Day, 2012
In the citing paper
“Power is not something that is intrinsically held by persons but by peoples and groups; they are positioned differently within power structures, and power is not equally distributed (Day, 2012).”
From Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to qualitative social work research (2024) · cites this paper as Day, 2012
In the citing paper
“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 Day, 2012
In the citing paper
“Reflexive researchers are encouraged to manage power differences by empowering and collaborating with research participants (Day, 2012).”
From Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to qualitative social work research (2024) · cites this paper as Day, 2012
Citations
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
A practical guide to reflexivity in qualitative research: AMEE Guide No. 149.
Olmos-Vega, F. M., Stalmeijer, R. E., Varpio, L., & Kahlke, R. (2023) · Medical Teacher · doi:10.1080/0142159x.2022.2057287 · Cited by 2,014
“reflexivity might be foregrounded over others (Day 2012).”
BackgroundInfluentialJacobson, D., & Mustafa, N. (2019) · International Journal of Qualitative Methods · doi:10.1177/1609406919870075 · Cited by 436
McGannon, K. R., & Smith, B. M. (2014) · Psychology of sport and exercise · doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2014.07.010 · Cited by 220
Hayes, S. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-032-31322-5_35 · Cited by 110
Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to qualitative social work research
Ide, Y., & Beddoe, L. (2024) · Qualitative Social Work · doi:10.1177/14733250231173522 · Cited by 177
“Several studies have reported de fi nitions of re-fl exivity (Pillow, 2003; Finlay, 2002; Fook, 1999), typologies (Day, 2012; D ’ Cruz et al., 2007; Longhofer and Floersch, 2012) and utilities (Berger, 2015; Probst, 2015).”
BackgroundInfluential
Metadata
- Authors
- Day, S.
- Affiliations
- York University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Day, Suzanne
- ORCID
- Day, Suzanne
- Venue
- Qualitative Sociology Review
- Published
- 2012-04-30
- Volume
- 8
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 60-85
- ISSN
- 1733-8077 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4206026463
- Cited by
- 153
- References
- 42
- Citations by year
- 2026: 14 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 5
- FWCI
- 8.44
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Qualitative Sociology Review (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- 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, qualitative research methodology, epistemology of qualitative research, research relationships, power in research, knowledge production, researcher subjectivity, methodological dilemmas
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