Introduction to the Special Issue

European Contributions to Strong Reflexivity

Bibliographic Data

ID2386146
AuthorsAngela Kuehner (Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany), Andrea Ploder (University of Graz), Phil C Langer (0000-0001-6930-1766, International Psychoanalytic University Berlin)
Year2016
Volume22
Issue9
Pages699-704
Publication date2016-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Inquiry (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1077-8004 • E-ISSN: 1552-7565
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1077800416658069
OpenAlexW2475794455
LanguageEN
Citations received34
References cited17

This special issue is devoted to reflexivity as an epistemic tool in qualitative research. We suggest a distinction between epistemically weak and epistemically strong reflexivity and present examples for strongly reflexive research from the German-speaking countries and the United Kingdom. The issue pursues three major goals: First, it provides a vocabulary to deepen the discussion about the epistemic dimensions of reflexivity. Second, it intervenes in hegemonic discourses on the "threat of subjectivity" and shows that approaches often perceived as "more subjective" and therefore less valid use, in fact, an epistemically stronger concept of reflexivity. Third, it offers insight into some innovative areas of strongly reflexive research in Europe. A comparison of these methodologies shows that the use of reflexivity as an epistemic tool is compatible with a wide range of approaches

Reflexivity · Critical Realism in Sociology · Mental Health and Patient Involvement · Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics