Approaches to reflexivity: navigating educational and career pathways

an article by Martin Dyke, Brenda Johnston and Alison Fuller (University of Southampton, UK) published in British Journal of Sociology of Education Volume 33 Issue 6 (November 2012)

Abstract

This paper provides a critical appraisal of approaches to reflexivity in sociology.

It uses data from social network research to argue that Archer’s approach to reflexivity provides a valuable lens with which to understand how people navigate their education and career pathways.

The paper is also critical of Archer’s methodology and typology of reflexivity as ‘types’; it is argued that social network research suggests people reveal different approaches to reflexivity in different situations. It concurs with Archer that the concept reflexivity is central to our understanding of the relationships between agency, structure and social change.

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