Article Review : ' Reflexivity ' As A Methodology By Its Existing Influence And So Far Problems?

‘Employing a qualitative methodology, underpinned by a constructivist world view, has provided the means to generate rich, deep and contextualised understandings of the research issue, and an appreciation of the socially constructed and experienced realities of the participants.’ (Highfield 2012)

The strive and ambition for power can seem to be utter perfection, but one should be careful what they wish for because that power and ambition may cause their eventual downfall. An example of this would be shown in Lady Macbeth’s character in William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”. Lady Macbeth’s strive for power leads her into a dark tunnel of guilt and a battle with herself subconsciously and consciously.

“Research methodology is influenced by the logic of experimental designs derived largely from biological science” (Lee, 1992). For a researcher in the hard sciences to validly study any phenomenon, the researcher must be detached and separate from the phenomenon being studied. Hard scientists believe that if the researcher interferes with the phenomenon in any way the value of the study is reduced or negated. Social “objectivists perceive that their studies can be (and of necessity need be) done independently of what is being observed and that their

There are a lot of differences between the two perspectives; however something they both have in common is reflexivity, the researcher’s willingness to put themselves in the picture of knowledge production. In the phenomenological perspective this is noted unambiguously as a desirable part of the method and is unequivocal about the way in which the approach is appropriate

The First Amendment of The Constitution is acknowledged to be the guarantor of Freedom of Speech clause in the United States. The same level of recognition Freedom of Speech receives is also given to the controversy that is has created. The ambiguity that revolves around Freedom of Speech has led to question its validity, due to the scope in which each case is presented, most notably at the time in which the United States was experiencing social and political ideologies. Thus, the Supreme Court had the arduous task of intervening and creating measures that would distinguish constitutionally protected speech and speech that would be regulated. The two most important interpretations that have allowed the Supreme Court to distinguish constitutionally

The approach of this study will take the epistemological position and a qualitative research design. Humphries (2008) asserts that qualitative research focusses on the subjective and recognises that the researcher will affect the data that is produced and therefore the outcome of the research. Denzin & Lincoln (2005:3) state that “Qualitative researchers study things in their natural settings attempting to make sense of, or to interpret, phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them”. Quantitative research on the other hand, claims to be objective, removing the researcher’s views and values from the study. While traditionally quantitative data has been deemed to produce more reliable or valid data, it does not suffice to capture the complexities of the human experience as it assumes a positivist epistemology.

research is observational in nature and a type of correlational research, and is often contrasted with

28). Every aspect of the research process is influenced by epistemology, it guides the researcher in justifying the research methods (Carter & Little, 2007; Kramer-Kile, 2012), as it is asking what is knowledge, and how can that knowledge be acquired.

A qualitative methodological approach was the obvious choice in that it allows for the collection and interpretation of stories, narratives, interviews and other forms of non-quantifiable data. A qualitative approach also does not demand or strive for detached objectivity of the researcher but instead encourages the disclosure of researcher bias and the engagement of the researcher with the research and subjects, often in the role of participant-observer (Dade, Tartakov, Hargrave, & Leigh,

Nowadays, social researchers increasingly deemed that qualitative researchers should be ‘insiders’ because they found many

Research methodology and methodological approaches that is, the structured process of conducting research and the overall concepts and theories which underpin research respectively (Bryman, 2008), occupy a central position in the research process as they are both shaped by and translate the researcher’s epistemological position. Epistemology then refers to a researcher’s philosophical stance about the nature, derivation and scope of knowledge (Gilbert, 2008). These positions are seldom ‘spelt out’ but rather understood in the matter of research methodology and approach (Sarantakos, 2005).

Reflexivity is the act of constantly reflecting on oneself as the researcher and the relationship between the interviewee. Reflexivity is important as it is set up to stop the manipulation of results. The researchers has to be aware that their presence alone will affect the outcome of the analysis and it is important that they are aware of this and do all that they can to minimise the effects they have on the respondents. Reflexivity is inextricably linked with accuracy, especially within the relationship between the researcher and the

Undoubtedly, there is an unswerving relationship between the theory and its application. Theory offers direction in research, and its application affords a baseline for research. In the following text, the relationship between theory and application and the manner in which a theory guides practices is espoused upon. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to show how research and theory are connected and how both serve as models for good practice in finding the appropriate information that allows investigators to resolve issues and to solve research problems, while also adding to the world’s body of knowledge (Akang, 2012).

Epistemological criticism argues that all approaches are unlikely to produce consistent evidence because of the inherent property. It will generate a new viewpoint. However, through abundant reading, triangulation will enlarge width and depth in qualitative research and provide an analysis with security- a overall perspective. Participants can improve the validity of research. Bloor (1978) argues that sociologists can establish a correspondence with participants, in which participants can identify, give assent and judgement to sociologists.

Maxwell (2005) also notes that qualitative research can be used to address various issues and is not restricted to one ontological stance. The method also involves developing a relationship with the people one is studying, an aspect that is important in defining the authenticity of the data and determining the course of action.