title: [Reflexivity: a critical issue in qualitative research].
abstract: Reflexivity is an English term that Spanish speaking people have to assign a technical meaning. Reflexivity expresses the conscience of researchers conscience and refers to their connection with the study's situation. It is a process by which researchers step back to critically exam the effect they have on the study and the impact of their interactions with participants. The reflexive process is embedded in all research levels and is present in all the research phases, from the research question to fieldwork, from data analysis to writing the final report. Nevertheless, the question is not so much to engage in reflective activities but to be a reflexive researcher. Reflexivity is a human ability that is present during social interactions. For this reason it is present in qualitative research. A self inquirer can be addressed as it is constructed by the relationships and interactions that are established with study participants. Reflexivity has an educational character that continues after the study is completed.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Psicología de la Salud, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, España. ccuesta@ua.es
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de la Cuesta-Benjumea
mesh_terms: D008606:Mental Processes; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research