To read this content please select one of the options below:

A requirement and challenge of joke-ability in humor researcher: A fusion autoethnographic analysis

Maria Kmita (Institute of Education, Plymouth University, Plymouth, UK)
Lynnette Mawhinney (The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ, USA)

Qualitative Research Journal

ISSN: 1443-9883

Article publication date: 1 February 2016

259

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

Related articles