Embedding Reflexivity Within Experiential Qualitative Psychology

Abstract

In this article, it is argued that reflexivity is integral to experiential qualitative research in psychology. Reflexivity has been defined in many ways. Woolgar's continuum of reflexivity though provides a useful gauge by which to judge whether a researcher is involved in simple reflection or reflexivity. The article demonstrates the benefits of adopting a reflexive attitude by presenting “challenge-to-competency.” The author's encounter with Sarah will help illustrate the role of reflexivity both in data generation and in interpretative analysis. To close, it is proposed that reflexivity as hermeneutic reflection, with its grounding in hermeneutics and phenomenology, is a useful construct for guiding our engagement in reflexivity in experiential qualitative research.

Keywords:

• hermeneutics
• interpretative phenomenological analysis
• phenomenology
• reflexivity

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Sarah for taking part in the initial research and providing the inspiration for this project. Thanks also to Kevin Wright, Michael Larkin, and anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments on an earlier draft.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Rachel Shaw

Dr. Rachel Shaw is a Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist. Her research involves using in-depth qualitative methods to help understand experiences of illness and related health care services from perspectives of the patients, their carers and health care professionals. She is also interested in developing qualitative research methodology in applied health research, paying attention to the use of interpretative phenomenology and reflexivity.