INTRODUCTION
Based on its etymology, reflexivity is generally described and understood as a turning back on yourself; a way for a researcher to question themselves and challenge their own assumptions, beliefs, and biases. While reflexivity is well-embedded in the contemporary social sciences landscape, the emphasis on reflexivity is relatively new. It was only in the second half of the 20th century that sociopolitical changes significantly impacted researchers’ understanding and perception of truth and reality.
A drastic shift followed, from accepting an objective scientific truth to now recognising the role of contextualised knowledge and the process of sensemaking within scientific inquiry, especially in relation to ethnographic work within the social sciences. Today, we recognise that a “reflexive turn” had taken place (Foley, 2002). Since then, reflexivity has continued to evolve as a concept and practice so that nowadays researchers are expected to engage with reflexivity in their research work.

2026 – NBrown – Chapter 37 Reflexivity in social research