Autoethnography and Family Research

• Published in: Journal of family theory & review Vol. 7; no. 4; pp. 350 - 366
• Main Authors: Adams, Tony E., Manning, Jimmie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-12-2015
• Subjects: Ethnography; Families & family life; Family communication; qualitative research; research methodology; Social research
• ISSN: 1756-2570; 1756-2589
• DOI: 10.1111/jftr.12116

This article describes how autoethnography, a research method that uses—and even foregrounds—personal experience, can be used as a method for studying families. We first define autoethnography, describe orientations to autoethnographic research, and review research that has used autoethnography as a method for studying families. Although autoethnography has numerous strengths, four qualities make it especially suitable for doing family research. We describe how autoethnography can allow researchers to offer insider accounts of families; study everyday, unexpected experiences of families, especially as they face unique or difficult situations; write against limited extant research about families; and make research more accessible to nonacademic audiences. We conclude by offering criteria for evaluating autoethnography, including risks and limitations of the method.