The Centrality of Reflexivity Through Narrative Beginnings: Towards Living Reconciliation

Abstract

Autobiographical narrative inquiry is an approach with a specific set of methodological commitments that guide research practice, yet its place and position within the work on reflexive practice are lost or misrepresented. Reflexivity in the form of autobiographical narrative inquiries comes out of the relational ontological commitments of narrative inquiry. By inquiring into Michael’s (the first author) experience as a researcher–practitioner, the purpose of this article is to show how reflexivity, in the form of narrative beginnings, is situated in the ongoing stream of experience. It provides narrative inquirers with avenues to make clear their research justifications/puzzles, become wakeful and open in their inquiries, and support shifts in relational knowing and being. By looking back and noticing the ways stories work on us, rather than us on them, this research explores the reverberations of past experiences and the ripples that carry forward into our future inquiries.

Reflexivity for Restorying the Ontological and Epistemological Truths in Qualitative Research

“…Reflexivity has been widely discussed in qualitative research methods; specifically, autoethnography (Humphreys, 2005), narrative inquiry (Dubnewick et al, 2018), and case studies that are selfauthored (Chiseri-Strater, 1996). Humphreys (2005) advocates for researchers to use autoethnographic vignettes as a methodological means for enhancing the reflexivity of their work as "the use of vignettes is explicitly reflexive" (p. 852).…”

“…Humphreys (2005) advocates for researchers to use autoethnographic vignettes as a methodological means for enhancing the reflexivity of their work as "the use of vignettes is explicitly reflexive" (p. 852). Similarly, Dubnewick et al (2018), reference reflexivity as an essential element of autobiographical narrative inquiry. According to Dubnewick et al (2018), reflexivity provides "narrative inquiries with avenues to make clear their research justifications/puzzles, become wakeful and open in their inquiries, and support shifts in relational knowing and being" (p. 1).…”

“…Similarly, Dubnewick et al (2018), reference reflexivity as an essential element of autobiographical narrative inquiry. According to Dubnewick et al (2018), reflexivity provides "narrative inquiries with avenues to make clear their research justifications/puzzles, become wakeful and open in their inquiries, and support shifts in relational knowing and being" (p. 1). In addition to autoethnographies and narrative inquiries, reflexivity is important among case study and ethnographic researchers (Chiseri-Strater, 1996).…”

Resisting Concepts as Starting Points in a High School Leadership Pathway Alongside Indigenous Youth

“…As we began imagining our research alongside the Indigenous youth, we were cautious of moving too quickly. Given that several members of our research team had previously engaged in narrative inquiries, we knew the importance of narrative beginnings, or autobiographical inquiries, as a way to locate ourselves and inquire into our own stories in relation to our research puzzle so we did not overlay or silence the lives of the youth (Dubnewick et al, 2018). As our research team gathered in the early stages of our work, we shared stories and experiences of navigating schools and our current involvements with/in schools, we inquired into our stories of leadership and our relation to programmed recreation, wellness and after-school activities.…”