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Reflexivity

Reflexivity has become an important aspect of critical, socially informed research with young people. ‘Reflexivity’ is a complex term, however, ranging in meaning from researchers’ self-awareness as they go about working with young people to more abstract philosophical ideas about the way research is done. This entry examines the shift from objectivity to self-reflective research, the difference between self-reflective and reflexive researchers, the ethical implications of reflexivity in research, and its particular significance for research focussed on children.

From Objective to Self-Reflective Researchers

After the mid-20th century, new movements for human rights led to criticism of traditional scientific research approaches. These assumed that the researcher was a neutral and objective observer standing outside the research process, not involved with or responsible for participants. Indigenous peoples argued that ...

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