Reflexivity in Qualitative Research: An Ethical Response for Researchers

Reflexivity constitutes a central ethical and methodological dimension of qualitative inquiry. It requires researchers to critically engage with their own positions, assumptions, and potential influences throughout the research process (Palaganas et al., 2017; Subramani, 2019). The statement reflects on the ethical implications of reflexivity as both a moral stance and an epistemological practice. It emphasizes that ethical qualitative research is not defined solely by compliance with formal procedures such as informed consent or confidentiality, but by a sustained awareness of how researchers perceive the subject and how it may influence the study.

Recognizing that researchers are not objective viewers is the first step toward reflexivity. It is the personal, cultural, and professional experiences of each researcher that shape how they look at data and interact with people. So, taking a reflexive stance means questioning your own worldview, experiences, values, and emotional reactions, while also being aware of how these things may affect the choices you may contribute to the data analysis and discussion. Being so self-aware is not a weakness; in fact, it makes qualitative analysis more in-depth and precise.

Ethically, reflexivity requires researchers to confront issues of power, representation, and voice. In qualitative research, participants share personal stories and identities, placing trust in the researcher (Reid et al., 2018). The ethical challenge lies in how these narratives are interpreted and represented. Reflexivity calls for humility—a recognition that every interpretation is partial and influenced by the researcher’s own position. Researchers must constantly ask: Whose voice is heard, and whose is silenced? How do my assumptions shape what I see and report? Such questions make reflexivity an ongoing moral practice rather than a single reflection.

An ethical reflexive stance further requires empathy and respect. Researchers must balance analytical distance with emotional sensitivity, protecting participants’ rights while valuing them as co-creators of knowledge. Using respectful language and ensuring that research outcomes benefit participants reflect the moral essence of reflexivity in qualitative inquiry.

In conclusion, reflexivity in qualitative study means being honest, open, and respectful towards others. It changes the study process from a one-way flow of information to a conversation where both sides can learn. Researchers help make the study more meaningful and real by asking themselves important questions. So, reflexivity is not an extra that you can choose not to have; it is a basic ethical reaction to the moral duties of doing qualitative research.

Edivaldo Abel, PhD
Chair, QLRC Marketing & Communication

References

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

Reid, A. M., Brown, J. M., Smith, J. M., Cope, A. C., & Jamieson, S. (2018). Ethical dilemmas and reflexivity in qualitative research. Perspectives on medical education, 7(2), 69-75. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40037-018-0412-2

Subramani, S. (2019). Practising reflexivity: Ethics, methodology and theory construction. Methodological Innovations, 12(2), 2059799119863276.