Reflexivity in Qualitative Research: A Journey of Learning

Authors

Erlinda C. Palaganas, University of the Philippines BaguioFollow
Marian C. Sanchez, Luke FoundationFollow
Ma. Visitacion P. Molintas, Philippine Health Social Sciences AssociationFollow
Ruel D. Caricativo, University of the Philippines BaguioFollow

Abstract

Conducting research, more so, fieldwork, changes every researcher in many ways. This paper shares the various reflexivities – the journeys of learning – that we underwent as field researchers. Here, we share the changes brought about to ourselves, as a result of the research process, and how these changes have affected the research process. It highlights the journey of discovering how we, as researchers, shaped and how we were shaped by the research process and outputs. All these efforts were done in our attempts to discover and understand various social phenomena and issues such as poverty, development, gender, migration, and ill health in the Philippines. This article includes the challenges encountered in our epistemological stance/s and personal and methodological concerns shown in our reflexivity notes/insights. Indeed, it is when researchers acknowledge these changes, that reflexivity in research constitutes part of the research findings. It is through this consciousness of the relational and reflective nature of being aware of personal and methodological concerns that we honor ourselves, our teammates/co-researchers and all others involved with the research project. As researchers, we need to be cognizant of our contributions to the construction of meanings and of lived experiences throughout the research process. We need to acknowledge that indeed it is impossible to remain “outside of” one's study topic while conducting research.

Keywords

Reflexivity, Qualitative Research, Learning, Fieldwork

Author Bio(s)

Erlinda C. Palaganas, PhD, RN, is a Professor, with the Institute of Management of the College of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Baguio; Principal Investigator of research covered by the paper namely: “Assessing Development: Designing Better Indices of Poverty and Gender Equity" and “Source Country Perspectives on the Migration of Highly Trained Health Personnel: Causes, Consequences, and Responses.” Dr. Palaganas is the corresponding author; Correspondence regarding this article can be addressed directly to: ecpalaganas@upb.edu.ph.

Marian C. Sanchez, BASS, is a Research Associate of the research covered by the paper namely, “Source Country Perspectives on the Migration of Highly Trained Health Personnel: Causes, Consequences, and Responses.” She has also conducted collaborative research with Ottawa University, UP Baguio Foundation, and Health Futures Foundation, Inc. and is currently the Executive Officer of the Luke Foundation. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: mc07sanchez@gmail.com.

Ma. Visitacion P. Molintas, is a Research Associate of the research covered by the paper namely, “Assessing Development: Designing Better Indices of Poverty and Gender Equity.” She has also conducted collaborative research with Australian National University and the Philippine Health Social Sciences Association. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: mvmolintas@gmail.com.

Ruel D. Caricativo, BASS, is an Instructor of the College of Social Sciences, University of the Philippines Baguio; He was a Research Associate of the research covered by the paper namely “Source Country Perspectives on the Migration of Highly Trained Health Personnel: Causes, Consequences, and Responses.” He has also conducted collaborative research with Ottawa University, UP Baguio Foundation, and Health Futures Foundation, Inc. Correspondence regarding this article can also be addressed directly to: ruelcaricativo@gmail.com.

Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the University of the Philippines for the support provided in the conduct of the collaborative researches. We are more indebted to the women and men who shared their stories and insights, allowing us into their lives and have become wellsprings of lessons and inspirations.

Publication Date

2-12-2017

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2552

Recommended APA Citation

Palaganas, E. C., Sanchez, M. C., Molintas, M. P., & Caricativo, R. D. (2017). Reflexivity in Qualitative Research: A Journey of Learning. The Qualitative Report, 22(2), 426-438. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2017.2552