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Chapter 9 Autoethnography: Situating Personal Sporting Narratives in Socio-Cultural Contexts

Qualitative Research on Sport and Physical Culture

ISBN: 978-1-78052-296-8, eISBN: 978-1-78052-297-5

Publication date: 9 October 2012

Abstract

Purpose – To introduce autoethnography as an innovative research approach within sport and physical culture, and consider its key tenets, strengths and weaknesses. For illustrative purposes, the chapter draws upon two specific autoethnographic research projects on distance running – one collaborative and one solo.

Design/methodology/approach – The design of the two projects is delineated, including methods of data collection and analysis: tape-recorded field and ‘head’ notes, personal and analytic logs, phenomenological, thematic and narrative data analysis. Issues of representation are addressed and the chapter explores salient, but often-overlooked, ethical considerations in undertaking autoethnographic research.

Findings – Key findings of two research projects are presented, cohering around issues of identity construction and identity work, together with lived body and sensory experiences of distance running.

Research limitations/implications – The limitations of using an autoethnographic approach are discussed, including in relation to fulfilling traditional, positivistic judgment criteria such as validity, reliability and generalisability; more appropriate criteria are proposed, particularly in relation to evocative autoethnographies. Novel forms of the genre: collaborative autoethnography and autophenomenography, are suggested as future directions for autoethnographic research in SPC.

Originality/value – The chapter provides a succinct introduction to the use of autoethnography in sport and physical culture, for those unfamiliar with the genre. The author also suggests an innovative variation – autophenomenography.

Keywords

Citation

Allen-Collinson, J. (2012), "Chapter 9 Autoethnography: Situating Personal Sporting Narratives in Socio-Cultural Contexts", Young, K. and Atkinson, M. (Ed.) Qualitative Research on Sport and Physical Culture (Research in the Sociology of Sport, Vol. 6), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 191-212. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1476-2854(2012)0000006012

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited