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Interpretive Autoethnography
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Interpretive Autoethnography

Second Edition
Volume: 17
January 2014 | 160 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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Like all writing, biographies are interpretive. In Interpretive Autoethnography, Norman Denzin combines one of the oldest techniques in the social sciences with one of the newest. Bringing in elements of postmodernism and interpretive social science, he reexamines the biographical and autobiographical genres as methods for qualitative researchers. Grounded in theory and rigorous analysis, this accessible book points up the inherent weaknesses in traditional biographical forms and outlines a new way in which biographies should be conceptualized and shaped. The book provides a guide to the assumptions of the biographical method, to its key terms, and to the strategies for gathering and interpreting such materials. Denzin introduces the key concept of “epiphany,” or turning points in person’s lives. A final chapter returns to autoethnography’s primary purpose: to make sense of our fragmented lives.
 
1. Assumptions of the Method
 
2. A Clarification of Terms
 
3. Interpretive Guidelines
 
4. Selves, Stories, Experiences
 
5. Evaluating Performance Autoethnography
 
6. In Conclusion: Performing Lives

A concise but at the same time deep introduction to interpretive autoethnography, it provides a wide coverage that cross-disciplinary boundaries. This is undoubtedly a text for advanced students.

Dr Mansour Pourmehdi
Department of Sociology, Manchester Metropolitan University
May 22, 2014
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A wonderful and original piece of writing about self-writing. Denzin truly encapsulates what it means to struggle with the tensions between the subjective selves.

Mr Eamonn Mitchell
AEPE, Univ of Limerick, Mary Immaculate Coll
April 30, 2014
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This is a short but excellent introduction to a key qualitative research method. Denzin takes readers through the assumptions and terms behind the method, and provides helpful guidelines to useing the method to intepret lived experience. The example, Bill's Story, is rich and provides excellent examples of how to apply the method to personal troubles of the research subjects. The writing is evocative and nuanced. I will recommend this book to be used as a supplemental to more standard UG textbooks in qualitative research methods.

Mrs Udeni Salmon
Salford Business School, Salford University
March 31, 2014
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This book offers a great way to illustrate the importance of reflexivity. As a midwifery lecturer, I find that students sometimes struggle with the concept and the value of self in the context of narrative.

Mrs Connie Mcluckie
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Care (Sighth, Edinburgh Napier University
March 5, 2014
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A very welll constructed edition which I am confident will enable students to engage with interpretivism as a whole and Autoethnography in particular.

Dr Gordon Ade-ojo
Lifelong learning teacher education, Greenwich University
February 21, 2014
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A useful addition to this field.

Dr Jane Bell
Faculty of Education, Winchester University
February 19, 2014
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