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Chapter 6. Affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method in Applied Linguistics

  • Ana Bocanegra-Valle
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Reflexive and Reflective Research Approaches in Applied Linguistics
This chapter is in the book Reflexive and Reflective Research Approaches in Applied Linguistics

Abstract

This chapter explores the affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method in Applied Linguistics (AL) and assesses if current literature within the fields of ELT/TESOL and of academic literacies enhances or questions autoethnography as a research method. It first reviews the main approaches to autoethnography and then moves on to consider the ways autoethnographically-oriented studies from major AL publications meet the goals of these approaches. At this stage, the contribution of autoethnography to current AL research is examined through close analysis of 40 studies published in relevant journals and books. In particular, this chapter explores the affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method that are revealed in these studies. Lastly, the ethical dilemmas faced by autoethnographers in the studies under review when conducting their research and writing their narratives are also addressed.

Abstract

This chapter explores the affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method in Applied Linguistics (AL) and assesses if current literature within the fields of ELT/TESOL and of academic literacies enhances or questions autoethnography as a research method. It first reviews the main approaches to autoethnography and then moves on to consider the ways autoethnographically-oriented studies from major AL publications meet the goals of these approaches. At this stage, the contribution of autoethnography to current AL research is examined through close analysis of 40 studies published in relevant journals and books. In particular, this chapter explores the affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method that are revealed in these studies. Lastly, the ethical dilemmas faced by autoethnographers in the studies under review when conducting their research and writing their narratives are also addressed.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of contributors vii
  4. Chapter 1. Reflectivity and reflexivity in qualitative research and scholarship 1
  5. Part I. Reflectivity and reflexivity in research
  6. Chapter 2. Transformative possibilities of autoethnography 22
  7. Chapter 3. Duoethnography 41
  8. Chapter 4. Toward an understanding of currere as a research method 61
  9. Chapter 5. Telling stories matters 80
  10. Part II. Reflectivity and reflexivity and Applied Linguistics Research
  11. Chapter 6. Affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method in Applied Linguistics 98
  12. Chapter 7. The role of duoethnography in critical ELT research 120
  13. Chapter 8. Currere 139
  14. Chapter 9. Narrative inquiry in Applied Linguistics Research 152
  15. Part III. Reflective and reflexive studies
  16. Chapter 10. An autoethnography of migration, language, and power dynamics 172
  17. Chapter 11. Duoethnographic inquiry into translingualism and language teacher identity 188
  18. Chapter 12. Past, present, and future 206
  19. Chapter 13. When children don’t learn to read 223
  20. Coda
  21. Chapter 14. Contemporary Applied Linguistics Research 248
  22. Author index 267
  23. Subject index 269
https://doi.org/10.1075/rmal.8.06boc

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. List of contributors vii
  4. Chapter 1. Reflectivity and reflexivity in qualitative research and scholarship 1
  5. Part I. Reflectivity and reflexivity in research
  6. Chapter 2. Transformative possibilities of autoethnography 22
  7. Chapter 3. Duoethnography 41
  8. Chapter 4. Toward an understanding of currere as a research method 61
  9. Chapter 5. Telling stories matters 80
  10. Part II. Reflectivity and reflexivity and Applied Linguistics Research
  11. Chapter 6. Affordances and limitations of autoethnography as a research method in Applied Linguistics 98
  12. Chapter 7. The role of duoethnography in critical ELT research 120
  13. Chapter 8. Currere 139
  14. Chapter 9. Narrative inquiry in Applied Linguistics Research 152
  15. Part III. Reflective and reflexive studies
  16. Chapter 10. An autoethnography of migration, language, and power dynamics 172
  17. Chapter 11. Duoethnographic inquiry into translingualism and language teacher identity 188
  18. Chapter 12. Past, present, and future 206
  19. Chapter 13. When children don’t learn to read 223
  20. Coda
  21. Chapter 14. Contemporary Applied Linguistics Research 248
  22. Author index 267
  23. Subject index 269
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