Background: Reflexivity can be helpful in developing the methodological rigor necessary to attaining trustworthy qualitative study results.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate strategies of critical reflexive thinking during a qualitative enquiry rooted in a mixed-methods study.
Methods: Guided by the questions of Rolfe and colleagues from 2001 ("what," "so what," and "now what"), we applied reflexive thinking to all aspects of the investigation.
Results: Critical reflexive thinking strongly supported our efforts to establish methodological rigor and helped reveal shortcomings.
Discussion: Effective strategical use of reflexive thinking takes concerted effort. Both time and space are essential to applying reflexive thinking throughout the qualitative research process.