I want to begin by noting that I think it is important for researchers to locate
themselves within their research in order to be transparent about their
potential biases. Reflexivity is essential to qualitative social research because
“the researcher is the primary ‘instrument’ of data collection and analysis”
(Watt 2007: 82). I agree with the idea that no research is value-free.
Although the proper and systematic application of certain techniques may
increase the rigor of one’s work, research interests and questions do not just
magically come into being; rather, we begin with ourselves and our own
understandings of the world. Indeed, data analysis reflects the theoretical,
epistemological, and ontological assumptions of the researcher (Mauthner
and Doucet 2003).