The concept of reflexivity was a bit unclear even though I reread parts of Barbara A. Babcock's article "Reflexivity: Definitions and Discriminations". She defined it as, "the individual is able to understand and adjust to the social processes, to modify his future behavior, and to modify the social processes itself" (pg. 2). In order to achieve reflexivity, one first as to be involved with a community or person outside of their social comfort zone. Or is it possible to acquire reflexivity within one's own social processes. Needless to say Elaine J. Lawless' article "I was Afraid Someone like You...an Outsider...Would Misunderstand: Negotiating Interpretive Differences Between Ethnographers and Subjects"clarified the concept of reflexivity. Her work was based on pastor women preaching in Missouri, most importantly she gave a close analysis of the role they played in their community. Lawless admits that she left her work undone after she received several letters from Anna (308-311), pertaining to her interpretation of her life.
Personally, if there is to much personal interaction between the subject and researcher, the end product could be compromised. However, after reading the letters between Lawless and Anna I have come to understand that there is a human aspect to research. Lawless failed to allow her subjects to give feedback on her interpretations and methodology. By doing so another dialogue is included in her work in which two different scopes and interpretations of social behavior met. In the end, the concept of reflexivity is tempting me to question my own methodology and interpretations of documents.
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