The Video Camera Spoiled My Ethnography: A Critical Approach. (12th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gregory, Katherine
• Is Part Of: International journal of qualitative methods. Volume 19(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-10-12
• Subjects: video ethnography -- imperial camera gaze -- Muslim adults -- failed research -- participant agency -- interdisciplinary tensions -- visual data -- media technology -- critical qualitative methods -- Dutch multiculturalism -- cultural assimilation; Qualitative research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Philosophy -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Research -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Statistical methods -- Periodicals; Qualitative Research -- Periodicals; Qualitative research; Social sciences -- Philosophy; Social sciences -- Research; Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/1609406920963761
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1609-4069

Abstract

As videography and other media technologies are normalized in the field of qualitative methods for the purpose of data collection, there is a growing need to discuss the benefits and limitations of these data collection tools. This article chronicles an ethnographic video study focused on the experiences of Muslim adults living in the Netherlands, and why the author opted to end the project. Issues focus on reckoning with the imperial gaze of the camera, performative behavior of participants before the camera and interdisciplinary tensions the researcher faced from conflicting trainings as a qualitative methodologist and media practitioner.