ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces and discusses the significance of 'social theory' and 'reflexivity' with respect to their importance in conducting and producing meaningful qualitative research. Social theory is typically defined as a logically interrelated set of propositions that provides explanations of human actions, interactions and meaning-making processes. The broad criticisms directed at foundational and grounded theories have led to increased calls for reflexive sociology or for critically reflexive theorizing, in which researchers attempt to examine and acknowledge how their subjectivities, life experiences, theorizing and research approaches are interlinked. In the current cultural moment, reflexivity is most commonly used to refer to a method that all qualitative researchers 'can and should use to legitimize, validate, and question research practices and representations'. Many critical scholars of sport and physical culture are also leaning into the so-called 'reflexive turn'.
