Experiencing family ethnography: challenges, practicalities and reflections on practice
ISSN: 1352-2752
Article publication date: 15 May 2020
Issue publication date: 18 January 2021
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to offer a critical reflection on the experience and challenges associated with conducting a family ethnography along with methodological guidance that generates insights for future researchers.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a family ethnography as a methodological approach to investigate family consumption in context with a view towards capturing detailed consumption experiences.
Findings
A family ethnography is a valuable but challenging methodology to follow in its preparation, practice and publishing. Despite these challenges, they are surmountable with some lateral thinking to conduct methodologically and ethically sound ethnographic research.
Research limitations/implications
The method, challenges and guidance offered here can be used to make the most of ethnography as a methodological approach to family research.
Practical implications
The critical reflection of the experience and challenges of conducting a family ethnography along with the practical advice offered here may guide those considering using ethnographic research.
Originality/value
Contributions include a critical reflection on the experience and challenges of conducting a family ethnography, ethical and methodological guidelines to overcome them and operational guidelines for their use.
Keywords
Citation
Nash, C., O'Malley, L. and Patterson, M. (2021), "Experiencing family ethnography: challenges, practicalities and reflections on practice", Qualitative Market Research, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 97-112. https://doi.org/10.1108/QMR-03-2019-0050
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited