Reflexivity
The Essential Guide
First Edition
Purchase
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781446295168
Available from
January 0001
Description
Reflexivity—the critical examination of how we see the world—is integral to good research practice. From this state-of-the-art, accessible tour of its history and contemporary relevance, readers will learn of its importance to social research and to society generally. The text introduces a host of influential thinkers and their key ideas on reflexivity, and incorporates examples from a range of disciplines and research settings. Drawing on the authors’ extensive experience of real research settings, this book:
- Pinpoints the importance of reflexivity in social research
- Demonstrates its relevance to everyday life
- Firmly locates the concept in the history of ideas
- Explores key questions about the bases of knowledge and understanding
- Presents key thinkers, concepts and issues in easy-to-understand learning boxes
Contents
Introduction
- What is reflexivity?
- The structure of the book
- The reflexive difference
Chapter 1: Thought and Knowledge in the History of Ideas
- Introduction
- In search of certainty
- Context matters
- Enduring concepts: reason and scepticism return
- Summary: reflexivity rooted
Chapter 2: Will, Interpretation and Being
- Introduction
- The will and representation
- Facts, values and interpretations
- Interpretation and being
- Summary: reflexivity matters
Chapter 3: Pragmatism, Practice and Language
- Introduction
- Thought, action and the self
- Thought, action and other minds
- Language, meaning and everyday speech
- Summary: reflexivity embedded
Chapter 4: Critique and Transformation
- Introduction
- Critical theory
- Recovering the promise of reason
- Critiquing critique
- Summary: Reflexive relations
Chapter 5: Power and Action
- Introduction
- Power and the subject
- A Realpolitik of reason
- Standpoints and difference
- Summary: Reflexive limits
Chapter 6: The Dynamics of Science in Society
- Introduction
- Co-producing society
- 'New' modes of knowledge production
- Co-producing research
- Summary: Reflexivity centred
Chapter 7: Reflexive Practice
- Introduction
- The work of making context
- The context of making work
- Reflexive research design
- Summary: Reflexive messes
Chapter 8: Reflexivity Realised
- Introduction
- Who am I?
- How do I relate to others?
- Why and how might I practice?
- Final words
Description
Reflexivity—the critical examination of how we see the world—is integral to good research practice. From this state-of-the-art, accessible tour of its history and contemporary relevance, readers will learn of its importance to social research and to society generally. The text introduces a host of influential thinkers and their key ideas on reflexivity, and incorporates examples from a range of disciplines and research settings. Drawing on the authors’ extensive experience of real research settings, this book:
- Pinpoints the importance of reflexivity in social research
- Demonstrates its relevance to everyday life
- Firmly locates the concept in the history of ideas
- Explores key questions about the bases of knowledge and understanding
- Presents key thinkers, concepts and issues in easy-to-understand learning boxes
Contents
Introduction
- What is reflexivity?
- The structure of the book
- The reflexive difference
Chapter 1: Thought and Knowledge in the History of Ideas
- Introduction
- In search of certainty
- Context matters
- Enduring concepts: reason and scepticism return
- Summary: reflexivity rooted
Chapter 2: Will, Interpretation and Being
- Introduction
- The will and representation
- Facts, values and interpretations
- Interpretation and being
- Summary: reflexivity matters
Chapter 3: Pragmatism, Practice and Language
- Introduction
- Thought, action and the self
- Thought, action and other minds
- Language, meaning and everyday speech
- Summary: reflexivity embedded
Chapter 4: Critique and Transformation
- Introduction
- Critical theory
- Recovering the promise of reason
- Critiquing critique
- Summary: Reflexive relations
Chapter 5: Power and Action
- Introduction
- Power and the subject
- A Realpolitik of reason
- Standpoints and difference
- Summary: Reflexive limits
Chapter 6: The Dynamics of Science in Society
- Introduction
- Co-producing society
- 'New' modes of knowledge production
- Co-producing research
- Summary: Reflexivity centred
Chapter 7: Reflexive Practice
- Introduction
- The work of making context
- The context of making work
- Reflexive research design
- Summary: Reflexive messes
Chapter 8: Reflexivity Realised
- Introduction
- Who am I?
- How do I relate to others?
- Why and how might I practice?
- Final words
Reviews
June 2017 | 248 pages | Sage UK
| Format | Published Date | ISBN | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardcover | 31/03/2026 | 9781446295168 | $173.00 |
| Paperback | 31/03/2026 | 9781446295175 | $92.00 |
Reflexivity—the critical examination of how we see the world—is integral to good research practice. From this state-of-the-art, accessible tour of its history and contemporary relevance, readers will learn of its importance to social research and to society generally. The text introduces a host of influential thinkers and their key ideas on reflexivity, and incorporates examples from a range of disciplines and research settings. Drawing on the authors’ extensive experience of real research settings, this book:
- Pinpoints the importance of reflexivity in social research
- Demonstrates its relevance to everyday life
- Firmly locates the concept in the history of ideas
- Explores key questions about the bases of knowledge and understanding
- Presents key thinkers, concepts and issues in easy-to-understand learning boxes
Table Of Contents:
- Introduction
- What is reflexivity?
- The structure of the book
- The reflexive difference
- Chapter 1: Thought and Knowledge in the History of Ideas
- Introduction
- In search of certainty
- Context matters
- Enduring concepts: reason and scepticism return
- Summary: reflexivity rooted
- Chapter 2: Will, Interpretation and Being
- Introduction
- The will and representation
- Facts, values and interpretations
- Interpretation and being
- Summary: reflexivity matters
- Chapter 3: Pragmatism, Practice and Language
- Introduction
- Thought, action and the self
- Thought, action and other minds
- Language, meaning and everyday speech
- Summary: reflexivity embedded
- Chapter 4: Critique and Transformation
- Introduction
- Critical theory
- Recovering the promise of reason
- Critiquing critique
- Summary: Reflexive relations
- Chapter 5: Power and Action
- Introduction
- Power and the subject
- A Realpolitik of reason
- Standpoints and difference
- Summary: Reflexive limits
- Chapter 6: The Dynamics of Science in Society
- Introduction
- Co-producing society
- 'New' modes of knowledge production
- Co-producing research
- Summary: Reflexivity centred
- Chapter 7: Reflexive Practice
- Introduction
- The work of making context
- The context of making work
- Reflexive research design
- Summary: Reflexive messes
- Chapter 8: Reflexivity Realised
- Introduction
- Who am I?
- How do I relate to others?
- Why and how might I practice?
- Final words
Recent Product Reviews:
In their book, "Reflexivity. The Essential Guide", Tim May and Beth Perry provide an extensive examination of the role of reflexivity in social research. Drawing on insights from a wide range of disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, sociology, history, linguistics, and above all, philosophy, the authors propose an enriching intellectual journey for social researchers and lay audience alike.
Anca Ilie, Pforzheim University
"Finally, a sensible, detailed and complex analysis of reflexivity in all its guises. Both intellectually rigorous and practically applicable, this book is essential reading for students across the social sciences."
Karen O'Reilly, Loughborough University
Spanning philosophy and social science, disciplined inquiry and individual reflection and theory and practice, this new work provides an invaluable overview of the key thinkers, ideas and issues involved in the reflexive turn in social inquiry. One marvels at its comprehensiveness, precision, and lucidity. Highly useful for students and established scholars alike.
Mustafa Emirbayer, University of Wisconsin-Madison