Keeping the faith: how reflective practice can turn emotional turmoil into a positive outcome in the context of doctoral study

Abstract

Ghaye (2010, p. 1) asked, ‘In what ways can reflective practices enhance human flourishing?’ In this paper, reflective practice is offered as a way to help students undertaking qualitative doctoral research to flourish. The following is a description of the emotional turmoil experienced as a doctoral student when confronted by challenges to assumptions throughout the qualitative research process. Through reflection of the emotional experience, the researcher came to view these experiences as a positive force that deepened and expanded her learning. This realisation has enabled her to keep the faith in the qualitative research process and to be more resilient. It is hoped that by drawing attention to these issues, other doctoral students and their supervisors may be alerted to the need for emotional resilience, that they will be encouraged to trust the qualitative research process, and consequently, to complete their doctoral studies.