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Finding Ramón: Navigating Failure and Luck in Mexico
1Department of Geography & Environment, The London School of Economics & Political Science, Houghton Street, London, WC2A 2AE UK.
Critical Criminology
|January 1, 2026
Summary
Research failure is common but often unspoken. This autoethnographic study explores an unsuccessful attempt to reconnect with a former research subject, revealing the unexpected role of luck in ethnographic fieldwork.
Area of Science:
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Sociology of Youth
- Autoethnography
Background:
- Failure is a frequently encountered but rarely discussed aspect of ethnographic research.
- Autoethnography offers a unique lens for examining personal experiences within research contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an autoethnographic narrative of an unsuccessful attempt to locate a research participant for a longitudinal life history.
- To reflect on the concept of failure in fieldwork and its relationship with luck.
Main Methods:
- Autoethnographic narrative.
- Qualitative longitudinal study (attempted).
- Reflexive analysis of research experience.
Main Results:
- The attempt to re-establish contact with the participant, Ramón, after more than a decade proved unsuccessful.
- The experience of 'failure' prompted a deeper consideration of the role and significance of luck in ethnographic research.
Conclusions:
- Apparent research failures can lead to valuable insights, particularly regarding the unpredictable elements like luck in fieldwork.
- Challenging the taboo surrounding research failure can foster more open and productive scholarly dialogue.
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