What do reflection and emotion got to do with it? My journey as a novice researcher

Abstract

In this manuscript I am attempting to provide insight into my journey as a novice researcher completing my Master’s research that explored Working Women's Perceptions of Power, Gender-Based Violence and HIV-infection (Freeman, 2010). I considered reflexivity as it relates to the analysis of qualitative data by drawing and reflecting on my master’s studies in the field of sociology. The study explored working women’s perceptions of power, gender-based violence and HIV-infection risks within intimate relationships. This problem was addressed by conducting an exploratory study with five female employees in an airline business who participated in in-depth, face-to-face interviews. This manuscript covers a brief introduction to reflexivity in qualitative data analysis, provides a reflective account, Theoretical Perspective, Interpersonal and Institutional context of research, the Emotional Response to Methodology and concludes with some lessons learned and recommendations for other novice researchers.