Reflexivity in research: Promoting rigour, reliability and validity in qualitative research

Abstract

Background: The value of qualitative research is increasingly acknowledged in health studies, as well as the demand for employing rigorous strategies. Although the literature recognises that reflexivity is a valuable and rigorous strategy, few studies unravel the practical employment of reflexivity as a strategy for ensuring rigour and quality in qualitative research. Aim: To present a practical example of how reflexivity can be employed as a strategy for ensuring rigour by reviewing 13 narratives from the author's reflexive diary on qualitative research. Methods: Content analysis and narrative analysis were used to approach and analyse data. Findings: Analysis of the posited qualitative research study found five main outcomes of the influence of reflexivity as a strategy to establish criteria of rigour. Conclusions: Further research is needed to show how reflexivity can be employed as a strategy in qualitative research to: i) establish criteria of rigour; ii) monitor the researcher's subjectivity in generating credible findings.