Bioethics, qualitative research and reflective equilibrium

Abstract

This is a theoretical study where we intend to discuss the use of reflective equilibrium in data analysis process in qualitative research in bioethics. The first part discusses the role of qualitative research in bioethics. In the second part we analyze the use of this procedure in those studies. Reflective equilibrium is a type of moral justification with the purpose of mutual adjustment between the adopted ethical theory research, moral judgments taken into consideration by researcher(s) and moral experience of research subjects, assuming certain morally relevant facts in order to weave a coherent network of beliefs between these components. In
this case, both ethical theory and moral experience can be open to criticism.