I need to use reflexivity and acknowledge my positionality in qualitative research. Help me: 1) Write reflexive memos throughout research process

Prompt
I need to use reflexivity and acknowledge my positionality in qualitative research. Help me: 1) Write reflexive memos throughout research process
ChatGPTOpenAI
I need to use reflexivity and acknowledge my positionality in qualitative research. Help me: 1) Write reflexive memos throughout research process

Writing reflexive memos is an essential practice in qualitative research, allowing you to critically engage with your own positionality and the impact it may have on your research process and findings. Here’s a guide on how to structure reflexive memos throughout your research process, accompanied by a few prompts to consider.

Structure of Reflexive Memos


  • Date and Context

  • Begin each memo with the date and a brief context of where you are in the research process.

  • Personal Reflections

  • Reflect on your own experiences, values, background, and beliefs. How do these potentially influence your perspective as a researcher?

  • Research Process

  • Discuss your thoughts on the current research activities you are engaged in (e.g., interviews, data collection, analysis).

  • Note any challenges you may face or have faced and how these are related to your positionality.

  • Interactions with Participants

  • Reflect on your interactions with participants. Consider how you relate to them and how this might affect their responses.

  • Think about power dynamics—who holds power in the relationship between you and the participants?

  • Emerging Themes and Insights

  • Highlight any themes that are emerging from the data that resonate or conflict with your own beliefs or experiences.

  • How might your positionality affect the interpretation of these themes?

  • Future Considerations

  • Consider what adjustments or changes you may need to make in your approach based on your reflections.

  • Plan for how you would address any biases or assumptions that have been identified.


Sample Reflexive Memos

Memo 1: Initial Reflections (Date: MM/DD/YYYY)

Context: Just completed the first few interviews for my research on access to mental health services in urban communities.

Personal Reflections: As a middle-class white female researcher, I need to continuously acknowledge how my background might shape my interactions with participants, most of whom come from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. My privilege could create barriers to genuine understanding.

Research Process: The interviews felt respectful, yet I noticed moments where I struggled to relate—especially when discussing systemic barriers they face that I have not experienced personally.

Interactions with Participants: One participant shared a harrowing story about their experiences in accessing services. I felt a strong sense of empathy, yet part of me worried that my tears might be perceived as pity rather than solidarity.

Emerging Themes: I’m noticing a strong theme about distrust in mental health services. I wonder how my identity as someone who has often depended on these services alters my interpretation.

Future Considerations: I plan to read literature on power dynamics in qualitative research and potentially engage in peer debriefing with fellow researchers from diverse backgrounds.

Memo 2: Mid-Research Reflection (Date: MM/DD/YYYY)

Context: Analyzing data after completing all interviews.

Personal Reflections: I am beginning to see the impact of my own experiences on the framing of questions. I recognize that some questions may not have the cultural grounding that would make them resonate with all participants.

Research Process: While coding the data, I noticed a tendency to favor responses that confirmed my beliefs about mental health services. This could skew my analysis.

Interactions with Participants: One participant reminded me about the importance of cultural context in understanding mental health. This was humbling and made me reconsider my framing of terms.

Emerging Themes: The tension between personal stigma and systemic barriers is stronger than anticipated. Examining my own feelings of stigma might offer insights but also biases—the interplay is complex.

Future Considerations: I need to consciously avoid leading questions in the next phase of analysis. Engaging an advisory board that reflects the diversity of my participant group could help correct any biases.

writing reflexive memos throughout your research encourages deeper engagement with your own positionality and enhances the rigor and ethicality of your study. By regularly attending to reflections on your identity and how it intersects with your research, you can honor the voices of your participants and increase the integrity of your qualitative findings.

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MistralMistral AI
I need to use reflexivity and acknowledge my positionality in qualitative research. Help me: 1) Write reflexive memos throughout research process

Reflexive memos are a valuable tool in qualitative research as they help you acknowledge your positionality, biases, and assumptions, and track how these evolve throughout the research process. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write reflexive memos:

  • Initial Reflexive Memo (Before starting the research):

  • Describe your personal background, beliefs, values, and experiences that may influence your research.

  • Explain your motivations and interests in the research topic.

  • Identify your positionality (e.g., insider/outsider status, power dynamics) in relation to your participants.

  • Reflect on your theoretical and methodological assumptions.


Example:
Initial Reflexive Memo
   Date: XX/XX/XXXX
   I approach this study on immigrant experiences with my own history of migration and understanding of cultural adaptation. I believe in the strength and resilience of immigrants, which may influence how I interpret their stories. I am an outsider to the specific community I will study, which might limit my insider knowledge but also allows me to bring a fresh perspective. I am drawn to this topic because of my personal experiences and academic interest in cultural psychology. I will use a phenomenological approach, focusing on the lived experiences of participants.

  • Ongoing Reflexive Memos (During data collection and analysis):

  • Reflect on your feelings, thoughts, and reactions before, during, and after data collection sessions (e.g., interviews, focus groups, observations).

  • Consider how your positionality and assumptions might be influencing the data collection process and your interpretations.

  • Reflect on any surprises, discomforts, or confirmations of your assumptions.

  • Document any changes in your thoughts, feelings, or assumptions that occur as you engage with more participants or data.


Example:
Reflexive Memo - After First Interview
   Date: XX/XX/XXXX
   I felt nervous and excited before the interview. The participant's story resonated with me, especially when they discussed feelings of isolation. I found myself wanting to share my own experiences to connect with the participant, but I refrained to avoid influencing their narrative. I was surprised by the participant's emphasis on community support, which challenged my assumption that immigrants often feel isolated. I need to explore this theme more in future interviews.

  • Final Reflexive Memo (After completing data analysis):

  • Reflect on how your positionality, assumptions, and experiences have shaped the entire research process and findings.

  • Discuss any transformations in your perspectives or understandings.

  • Consider the implications of your reflexivity on the research findings, interpretation, and presentation.

  • Identify areas for continued self-reflection and growth as a researcher.


Example:
Final Reflexive Memo
   Date: XX/XX/XXXX
   Throughout this research journey, I have become more aware of the diversity of immigrant experiences and the importance of community support. My initial assumptions about isolation were challenged, and I now understand that isolation and community support can coexist. My personal experiences allowed me to connect with participants but also presented challenges in maintaining objectivity. I will continue to reflect on my positionality and assumptions as I share and discuss my findings.

  • Reflexive Journaling:

  • Maintain a regular journaling practice throughout the research process to document your thoughts, feelings, and reflections.

  • This journal can serve as a space for raw, unfiltered reflections that can later be distilled into more structured reflexive memos.


By writing reflexive memos throughout the research process, you will gain a deeper understanding of your role as a researcher and produce more transparent and credible qualitative findings.

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💡 Try this comparison yourself:Compare AI models side-by-side on SNEOS

Analysis

This comparison demonstrates the different approaches each AI model takes when responding to the same prompt. Here are the key differences observed:

Response Characteristics

ChatGPT: Provides a detailed response with 44 sentences.

Mistral: Provides a detailed response with 38 sentences.

Key Takeaways

  • Each model brings unique strengths to this type of query
  • Response styles vary significantly between models
  • Consider your specific use case when choosing between these models

Try This Comparison Yourself

Want to test these models with your own prompts? Visit SNEOS.com to compare AI responses side-by-side in real-time.

This comparison was generated using the SNEOS AI Comparison ToolPublished: October 15, 2025 | Models: ChatGPT, Mistral