Discovering New Connections: Insights From Individual and Collective Reflexivity in a Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

Through intentionally engaging in reflexivity, researchers can be transparent about potential areas of social inquiry and analysis that might be subject to a priori assumptions, personal biases, and interpretations that are not rooted in the data. In the context of conducting research with others, reflexivity also includes a collective dimension in which each researcher’s positionality interacts with the others and shapes research outcomes. Fostering collective reflexivity within interdisciplinary teams enables the researchers to process conflicting perspectives, allow creative and innovative approaches to emerge, and develop a shared vision of the research concepts, methods, and outcomes. Despite its acknowledged value, the integral process of reflexivity is rarely documented in mixed methods social inquiry. In this article, we describe the process of reflexivity through individual and collective team insights gained within a mixed methods study that examined the lived experiences and perceptions of breastfeeding among African American women and their support partners. We describe three components of the reflexivity practice we engaged in: 1) Self-led; 2) Relational and team-led; 3) Methods-focused and team-led. We discuss how this process challenged, shaped, and enriched data analysis, data integration, and finally, our understanding of the research findings.