PurposeEthnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relat... more PurposeEthnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relationship between intense immersion and objective distance from research and participants. This relationship can be particularly intense when researching hidden or marginalized communities in violent contexts. Yet, the emotional consequences of research on the researcher are rarely discussed and little literature exists. When emotions in research are revealed, researchers can be confronted with stigma surrounding issues of subjectivity, “going native” and implications of failed research. This paper seeks to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on research from Lee, Hume, and Nordstrom and Robben, this article presents a reflexive analysis of the author's ethnographic PhD experience. It examines the transformation undertaken to adapt and cope with in‐depth research with vulnerable groups in dangerous environments. It also explores the post‐fieldwork transition and con...
Ethnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relationship... more Ethnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relationship between intense immersion and objective distance from research and participants. This relationship can be particularly intense when researching hidden or marginalized communities in violent contexts (Nordstrom and Robben 1995). The emotional consequences of research on the researcher, however, are rarely discussed and little literature exists. When emotions in research are revealed, researchers can be confronted with stigma surrounding issues of subjectivity, ‘going native’ and even implications of failed research. Drawing on the research of Lee (1995), Hume (2007), and Nordstrom and Robben (1995) this article presents a reflexive analysis of my ethnographic PhD experience. It examines the transformation undertaken to adapt and cope with in-depth research with vulnerable groups in dangerous environments. It also explores the post field work transition and consequences of post traumatic stress syndrome which were viewed as my feet of clay, or possible weakness which could derail or even invalidate the research.
PurposeEthnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relat... more PurposeEthnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relationship between intense immersion and objective distance from research and participants. This relationship can be particularly intense when researching hidden or marginalized communities in violent contexts. Yet, the emotional consequences of research on the researcher are rarely discussed and little literature exists. When emotions in research are revealed, researchers can be confronted with stigma surrounding issues of subjectivity, “going native” and implications of failed research. This paper seeks to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on research from Lee, Hume, and Nordstrom and Robben, this article presents a reflexive analysis of the author's ethnographic PhD experience. It examines the transformation undertaken to adapt and cope with in‐depth research with vulnerable groups in dangerous environments. It also explores the post‐fieldwork transition and con...
Ethnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relationship... more Ethnographers, as tools of data collection, are uniquely positioned in a paradoxical relationship between intense immersion and objective distance from research and participants. This relationship can be particularly intense when researching hidden or marginalized communities in violent contexts (Nordstrom and Robben 1995). The emotional consequences of research on the researcher, however, are rarely discussed and little literature exists. When emotions in research are revealed, researchers can be confronted with stigma surrounding issues of subjectivity, ‘going native’ and even implications of failed research. Drawing on the research of Lee (1995), Hume (2007), and Nordstrom and Robben (1995) this article presents a reflexive analysis of my ethnographic PhD experience. It examines the transformation undertaken to adapt and cope with in-depth research with vulnerable groups in dangerous environments. It also explores the post field work transition and consequences of post traumatic stress syndrome which were viewed as my feet of clay, or possible weakness which could derail or even invalidate the research.
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Papers by Tara Warden