A requirement and challenge of joke-ability in humor researcher: A fusion autoethnographic analysis
Abstract
Purpose
With particular reference to qualitative humor research, this paper aims to look at fieldwork from a new angle. The purpose of this paper is to address humor research foci by completing a fusion autoethnographic analysis of how lead author used humor to interact with the participants. This analysis outlines the two examples of joke-ability; specifically self-deprecating humor and more generally attempts to blend in.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws on fusion autoethnography where Author 2 actively worked to help Author 1 push deeper into her use of humor and its historical context within her life. This created a dialogue to deepen the self-analysis on Author 1’s humor methodology.
Findings
The use of humor, by humor researchers, may be of particular importance if the researched groups, society, or nation values humor in both formal and informal contexts. Researcher’s humor can be a spontaneous and dynamic way of learning and engaging with the researched environment.
Originality/value
This paper aims to be a starting point for the discussion about the understudied issues of place and role of the use of humor by a humor researcher, and the challenges of conducting humor research within an educational context. The innovative fusion autoethnographic analysis helps to reflect upon researcher’s role and behavior. The study contributes to humor research methodology by exploring the effects of researcher’s use of humor on both the researcher-participant relationship and the data.
Keywords
Citation
Kmita, M. and Mawhinney, L. (2016), "A requirement and challenge of joke-ability in humor researcher: A fusion autoethnographic analysis", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 16 No. 1, pp. 92-107. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-10-2014-0051
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited