We go farther together: practical steps towards conducting a collaborative autoethnographic study

Area of Science:

• Implementation Science
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Autoethnography is an underutilized qualitative method in implementation science.
• Personal experiences can provide valuable data for advancing scientific knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of collaborative autoethnography for health research teams.
• To highlight the utility of collaborative autoethnography in implementation science.

Main Methods:

• Collaborative autoethnography involves all authors as participants.
• Authors narrate, analyze, and theorize about their individual and collective experiences.
• This method is particularly useful for understanding multidisciplinary team dynamics.

Main Results:

• Collaborative autoethnography yields insights into the complexities and intersectionality of research experiences.
• It archives personal reflections, contributing to a richer understanding of research processes.
• The method supports the exploration of multidisciplinary team dynamics.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative autoethnography is a powerful qualitative approach for implementation science.
• It enhances understanding of researcher experiences within complex, multidisciplinary settings.
• This method offers a unique way to archive and analyze personal and collective research journeys.