Becoming the Phenomenon? An Alternative Approach to Reflexivity in Ethnography. (November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Müller, Sophie Merit
• Other Names: Kuehner Angela guest-editor.; Ploder Andrea guest-editor.; Langer Phil C. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Qualitative inquiry. Volume 22:Number 9(2016)
• Page Start: 705
• Page End: 717
• Publication Date: 2016-11
• Subjects: ethnography -- autoethnography -- ethnomethodology -- reflexivity -- subjectivity -- practice theory -- body -- ballet; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/1077800416660580
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8004

Abstract

This article presents a praxeologically informed approach to "transgressing the researcher-subject" in ethnography. I unfurl a concept of "strong" reflexivity as developing a perspective of unfamiliarity toward one's own practices and beliefs. By drawing on my study on practicing ballet, I illustrate how I dealt with my own bodily involvement as a professional dance student. Comparing my approach with evocative autoethnography, I not only emphasize that corporeal sensitivity and alertness are inherent to both styles of inquiry. Yet, I also point out their differences. Whereas evocative autoethnography takes subjectivity as a resource for insights, this approach uses it as an instrument for discovery.