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A critique of current practice: ten foundational guidelines for autoethnographers
1University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. martin.tolich@otago.ac.nz
Qualitative Health Research
|July 28, 2010
Summary
Creative analytical practices (CAP) autoethnography faces ethical challenges when consent is sought retrospectively. This study develops 10 foundational ethical considerations for autoethnographers to proactively address these issues in practice.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Qualitative Research Methods
Background:
- Ethical considerations in research are often addressed retrospectively, compromising study integrity.
- Creative analytical practices (CAP) autoethnography presents unique ethical dilemmas, particularly concerning informed consent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the ethical complexities of retrospective informed consent in autoethnography.
- To contrast autoethnographers' justifications for not obtaining consent with established qualitative research standards.
- To develop foundational ethical considerations for autoethnographers.
Main Methods:
- Case study analysis of an autoethnography requiring retrospective informed consent.
- Comparative analysis of autoethnographers' ethical stances and the Congresses of Qualitative Inquiry's Position Statement.
- Identification of resources and ethical issues in self-healing autoethnography.
Main Results:
- Retrospective informed consent introduces conflicts of interest.
- Discrepancies exist between some autoethnographers' practices and formal qualitative research ethics.
- Autoethnography used for self-healing can violate relational confidentiality.
Conclusions:
- Autoethnography requires proactive ethical frameworks beyond procedural compliance.
- 10 foundational ethical considerations are proposed to guide autoethnographers.
- The article provides practical tools for navigating ethical practice in autoethnography.
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