Being a reflexive researcher is the only way to present a well-constructed argument. Qualley discusses reflexive inquiry, explaining reflexive as "the act of turning back to discover, examine, and critique one's claims and assumptions in response to an encounter with another idea, text, person, or culture."(3) Because of technology, there are millions of resources for writers to get entangled in. Some of these may be valuable, reliable, and completely relevant, while many others are insignificant. Research
is not about simply about searching for the perfect information, finding it, and sharing it with others. That would make a researcher just a middle-man in a huge web of ideas.
Instead, research and composition are linked to establish connections in many ways. Qualley claims, "when the process of composition includes the habit of reflexive inquiry, then we begin to see more clearly how writing and reading the word, the world, and the self are always in
continual dialectical interplay."(5)
A good, reflexive researcher will take the time to analyze the data, see if it works for them, and apply it in an effective way. This process of thinking, re-thinking, and applying is a critical component to strong research and writing. Reflexive research also offers more opportunities to consider various viewpoints that may lead to stronger argument from the researcher. This allows the writer to relate different kinds of information and distinguish patterns among the research to form a rich, elaborate piece.
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