Using Autoethnography in Qualitative Research.

Volume 6, Issue 6, December 2021     |     PP. 158-163      |     PDF (151 K)    |     Pub. Date: October 24, 2021
DOI: 10.54647/education88226    79 Downloads     5431 Views  

Author(s)

Robert Vella, Nwar’, Triq Patri Anton Debono S.J., Victoria VCT, Gozo, Malta

Abstract
This article highlights the importance of using autoethnography in qualitative research. Autoethnography is an approach in qualitative research where the researcher uses personal experiences as data to analyse, describe, understand and interpret events in her/his life to describe sociological understanding of past and present with regards a given context and/or phenomenon. In qualitative research, autoethnography can be used either as one whole data, or as partial data blended with the stories of other people to explore a particular event. The main objective of this article is to describe some scholarly justifications in autoethnography and instigate other researchers in using partially or wholly autoethnography in their research. This article was enlightened after myself have explored partial autoethnography in my PhD exploration.

Keywords
Autoethnography, Qualitative research, Social Sciences

Cite this paper
Robert Vella, Using Autoethnography in Qualitative Research. , SCIREA Journal of Education. Volume 6, Issue 6, December 2021 | PP. 158-163. 10.54647/education88226

References

[ 1 ] Clandinin, D. J. (2013). Engaging In Narrative Inquiry. California: Left Coast Press Inc.
[ 2 ] Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2011). Introduction: The discipline and practice of qualitative research. In N. K. Denzin & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (4th ed., pp. 1-20). California: SAGE Publications Ltd.
[ 3 ] Ellis, C., Adams, T.E., & Bochner, A.P. (2011). Autoethnography: An Overview. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 12(1), Art. 10. Doi: 10.17169/fqs-12.1.1589
[ 4 ] Goodall, H. L., Jr. (2008). Writing Qualitative Inquiry: Self, Stories, and Academic Life. California: Left Coast Press Inc.
[ 5 ] Kvale, S. (1996). InterViews: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing. California: SAGE Publications, Inc.
[ 6 ] Merriam, S. B. (1988). Case study research in education. California: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
[ 7 ] Polkinghorne, D. E. (1991). Narrative and Self-Concept. Journal of Narrative & Life History, 1(2/3). 135-153. Doi: 10.1075/jnlh.1.2-3.04nar
[ 8 ] Roth, W. M. (Ed.). (2005). Auto/Biography and Auto/Ethnography: Praxis of Research Method. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
[ 9 ] Sikes, P. (2010). The ethics of writing life histories and narratives in education research. In A. Bathmaker & P. Harnett (Eds.), Exploring Learning, Identity & Power through Life History & Narrative Research (pp. 11-24). Oxon: Routledge.
[ 10 ] Sikes, P. (2012). Truths, Truths and Treating People Properly. In I. F. Goodson, A. M. Loveless & D. Stephens (Eds.), Explorations in Narrative Research (pp. 123-140). Sussex: Sense Publishers.
[ 11 ] Sikes, P. (2015). Ethical Considerations in Autoethnographic Research. Specialist Research Ethics Guidance Paper. Retrieved February 10, 2018 from https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/polopoly_fs/1.586562!/file/SREGP-Autoethnography-2015.pdf
[ 12 ] Wall, S. (2008). Easier Said than Done: Writing an Autoethnography. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 7(1), 38-53. Doi: 10.1177/160940690800700103
[ 13 ] Wellington, J. J., Bathmaker, A. M., Hunt, C., McCulloch, G., & Sikes, P. (2005). Succeeding with Your Doctorate. Thousand Oaks, Canada: SAGE Publications.