Qualitative Data Analysis: An Introduction Carol Grbich Chapter 9: Autoethnography.

Autoethnography: definition Autoethnography is an autobiographical genre of writing and research that displays multiple layers of consciousness, connecting the personal to the cultural. Back and forth ethnographers gaze, first through an ethnographic wide-angle lens, focussing outward on social and cultural aspects of their personal experience; then, they look inward, exposing a vulnerable self that is moved by and may move through, refract, and resist cultural interpretations. (Ellis and Bochner, 2000:739).

Key points of an Autoethnography You are the focus of the research study You research your activities, feelings and emotions in depth within particular cultural contexts You need a well developed capacity for critical reflexivity in order to avoid the pitfalls of self indulgence Your capacity to present data innovatively and to create an impact on the reader by bringing them in close to your experiences is very important

Data sources Personal memory from notes or memories of a powerful event the details of which are imprinted on your mind Self-observational data you chronicle events close to their actual happening through observing the self in situ, Self-reflective data maintain a detailed critically reflexive journal of thoughts and feelings – emotional self disclosure Other data any audio/visual/written or other documentation regarding the event/situation

Data analysis Preliminary data analysis (see chapter 2) Editing for re-presentation in some way to bring the reader closer to experiencing situations Thematic analysis and data fracturing and fragmenting is rarely done

Data presentation options Dialogue or play Story – individual or multiple (triangulated) Poetry Visual options – painting, drawing, video etc Pastiche (an interwoven quilt of stories and voices (written and aural) Any combinations of the above

Advantages of Autoethnography Delves into difficult to access topics Makes researcher very transparent Elucidates emotions of both researcher and researched Allows reader to access experiences Encourages a wide variety of creative re=presentations.

Criticisms of Autoethnography Too indulgent, self absorbed and introspective Is exposing the experiential emotions of the self and others ‘real’ research? Or just ‘’obsessiveness’? Have others given proper permission to be included in your stories? (ethics). In centering oneself, one can highlight one’s own role and marginalise those of others Discussion of very personal events may create a situation of vulnerability  

Assessment criteria for Autoethnographies Assess the contribution of the writing to our increased knowledge of social life; Examine the style of presentation – is it satisfyingly complex?; Reflexivity – has the author been able to move between the inside and outside subjectivities?; What emotional impact has it had on the reader? (Adapted from Richardson, 2000:15-16