You are here

Interpretive Autoethnography
Share
Share

Interpretive Autoethnography

Second Edition


November 2013 | 160 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
Like all writing, biographies are interpretive. In Interpretive Autoethnography, Norman Denzin combines one of the oldest techniques in the social sciences with one of the newest. Bringing in elements of postmodernism and interpretive social science, he reexamines the biographical and autobiographical genres as methods for qualitative researchers. Grounded in theory and rigorous analysis, this accessible book points up the inherent weaknesses in traditional biographical forms and outlines a new way in which biographies should be conceptualized and shaped. The book provides a guide to the assumptions of the biographical method, to its key terms, and to the strategies for gathering and interpreting such materials. Denzin introduces the key concept of “epiphany,” or turning points in person’s lives. A final chapter returns to autoethnography’s primary purpose: to make sense of our fragmented lives.

 
1. Assumptions of the Method
 
2. A Clarification of Terms
 
3. Interpretive Guidelines
 
4. Selves, Stories, Experiences
 
5. Evaluating Performance Autoethnography
 
6. In Conclusion: Performing Lives

A concise but at the same time deep introduction to interpretive autoethnography, it provides a wide coverage that cross-disciplinary boundaries. This is undoubtedly a text for advanced students.

Dr Mansour Pourmehdi
Department of Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University
May 22, 2014

A wonderful and original piece of writing about self-writing. Denzin truly encapsulates what it means to struggle with the tensions between the subjective selves.

Mr Eamonn Mitchell
AEPE, Univ of Limerick, Mary Immaculate Coll
April 30, 2014

This is a short but excellent introduction to a key qualitative research method. Denzin takes readers through the assumptions and terms behind the method, and provides helpful guidelines to useing the method to intepret lived experience. The example, Bill's Story, is rich and provides excellent examples of how to apply the method to personal troubles of the research subjects. The writing is evocative and nuanced. I will recommend this book to be used as a supplemental to more standard UG textbooks in qualitative research methods.

Mrs Udeni Salmon
Salford Business School, Salford University
March 31, 2014

This book offers a great way to illustrate the importance of reflexivity. As a midwifery lecturer, I find that students sometimes struggle with the concept and the value of self in the context of narrative.

Mrs Connie Mcluckie
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care (Sighth, Edinburgh Napier University
March 5, 2014

A very welll constructed edition which I am confident will enable students to engage with interpretivism as a whole and Autoethnography in particular.

Dr Gordon Ade-ojo
Lifelong learning teacher education, Greenwich University
February 21, 2014

A useful addition to this field.

Dr Jane Bell
Faculty of Education, Winchester University
February 19, 2014
  •  
Key features

NEW TO THIS EDITION

  • Draws on the last two decades’ astounding proliferation of interpretive (auto)biographical methods, including the work of Maclure, St. Pierre, Lather, and others
  • Includes an all-new chapter on Performance Ethnography
  • Expands coverage of recent work that has grown out of the “biographical impulse”
  • Includes criticisms of biographical/autobiographical approaches
  • Adds coverage of ethics, as well as voice, reflexivity, arts-based inquiry, and representation of historical voices/texts

KEY FEATURES 

  • Skillfully lays out the key assumptions, terms, guidelines, and parameters of autoethnography
  • Provides a brief yet comprehensive guide to using and studying personal experience and the dilemmas and political implications of textualizing a life
  • Combines critical analysis and methodological applications
  • Offers examples with analyses that clearly illustrate the book’s theories, concepts, and guidelines

Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site

This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.