Exploring participant-centred reflexivity in the research interview

Riach, K. (2009) Exploring participant-centred reflexivity in the research interview. Sociology, 43(2), pp. 356-370. (doi: 10.1177/0038038508101170)

Abstract

The increasing importance of reflexivity within social research highlights the importance of the construction of knowledge in relation to the research endeavour. However, researcher-orientated notions of reflexivity can often relegate a discussion of participant reflexivity. Drawing on two motifs that emerged during the analysis of interview data from one research project, I argue that developing Bourdieu's concepts of habitus, practical mastery and symbolic mastery allows us to understand how reflexivity-in-practice is situated and enacted by both parties involved in the research interaction, and how such `sticky moments' help us work towards a more participant-focussed mode of reflexivity. In situating the article within larger social research debates, I suggest that ascribing a more active role to interview participants as reflexive subjects can help to address some of the wider ethical debates over the role and positioning of participants in the research process.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Riach, Professor Kathleen
• Authors: Riach, K.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: Sociology
• Publisher: SAGE
• ISSN: 0038-0385
• ISSN (Online): 1469-8684