Récits de vie d’adolescentes en conflit avec la loi à Dakar (Sénégal) : entre défis et ajustements méthodologiques, quelle réflexivité ?

This article addresses the methodological aspects of my doctoral research on the life course of adolescent girls in conflict with the law and their « delinquent » and judicial experience in the face of social control in the Senegalese context. The inherent challenges and adjustments of any ethnographically inspired qualitative research are examined in relation to the context of the study environment and the adopted posture. In accordance with the requirements of an ethnographic orientation, reflexivity during the immersion and distancing phases of the fieldwork made it possible to ensure a methodological critical feedback on these challenges and adjustments. Moreover, the analyses show that they are strongly linked to ethical considerations. To this end, recommendations are made in particular to research ethics boards.