Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Researching from the Inside: Autoethnography and Critical Event Studies

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Critical Event Studies

Part of the book series: Leisure Studies in a Global Era ((LSGE))

Abstract

Events are experiences. There has been growing attention paid to concepts like ‘experiential marketing’ within the field of events management and event studies, but there has been less focus on how groups and individuals experience events from personal and social perspectives. Autoethnography is a useful research method to begin to address this gap. Autoethnography allows the researcher to use highly personal, often emotional and (hopefully) evocative accounts to try and engage the reader in the event experience. Personal stories can be powerful ways in which to discuss wider social issues and have the potential to enrich critical event studies by providing alternative and revealing accounts of events.

In this chapter, I demonstrate various ways in which autoethnography can be used to provide insight into event experiences from the perspectives of both event spectators/attendees and event participants (in this case sporting competitors). I use autoethnographic vignettes to illustrate how personal stories can be crafted to reveal more than just an interesting story and can in fact act as a springboard to discussions of wider issues within event studies. The chapter shows how autoethnography requires thorough consideration of how a personal story (the ‘auto’) links to wider social issues (the ‘ethno’) through carefully crafted writing (the ‘graphy’). Autoethnography is a demanding method to adopt, and has been subject to numerous critiques within the broader social sciences, but is gaining in prominence and is an interesting and challenging approach through which to engage students, researchers and broader audiences in a variety of issues that underpin critical event studies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams, T. E. (2008). A review of narrative ethics. Qualitative Inquiry, 14(2), 175–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldridge, J. (1993). The textual disembodiment of knowledge in research account writing. Sociology, 27(1), 53–66.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, L. (2006). Analytic autoethnography. Journal of contemporary ethnography, 35(4), 373–395.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, L. (2011). Time is of the essence: An analytic autoethnography of family, work, and serious leisure. Symbolic Interaction, 34(2), 133–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton, B. (2011). My auto/ethnographic dilemma: Who owns the story? Qualitative Sociology, 34, 431–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bochner, A. P. (2000). Criteria against ourselves. Qualitative Inquiry, 6, 266–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carrington, B. (2008). ‘What’s the footballer doing here?’ Racialized performativity, reflexivity and identity. Critical Studies—Critical Methodologies, 8(4), 423–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chanavat, N. & Bodet, G. (2014). Experiential marketing in sport spectatorship services: A customer perspective. European Sport Management Quarterly, 14(4), 323–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, H., Ngunjiri, F., & Hernandez, K. A. C. (2012). Collaborative autoethnography. Walnut Creak, CA: Left Coast Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coghlan, A. (2012). An autoethnographic account of a cycling charity challenge event: Exploring manifest and latent aspects of the experience. Journal of Sport & Tourism, 17(2), 105–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coghlan, A. & Filo, K. (2013). Using constant comparison method and qualitative data to understand participants’ experiences at the nexus of tourism, sport and charity events. Tourism Management, 35, 122–131.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collinson, J. A. & Hockey, J. (2005). Autoethnography: Self-indulgence or rigorous methodology. In M. J. McNamee (Ed.), Philosophy and the sciences of exercise, health and sport: Critical perspectives on research methods (pp. 187–202). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dashper, K. (2013). Getting better: An autoethnographic tale of recovery from sporting injury. Sociology of Sport Journal, 30(3), 323–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dashper, K. (2015). Revise, resubmit and reveal? An autoethnographer’s story of facing the challenges of revealing the self through publication. Current Sociology. doi:10.1177/0011392115583879.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dashper, K., Fletcher, T., & McCullough, N. (2014). Introduction: Sports events, society and culture. In K. Dashper, T. Fletcher, & N. McCullough (Eds.), Sports events, society and culture (pp. 1–22). Abingdon: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dauphinee, E. (2010). The ethics of autoethnography. Review of International Studies, 36, 799–818.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davies, K., Ritchie, C., & Jaimangal-Jones, D. (2014). A multi-stakeholder approach: Using visual methodologies for the investigation of intercultural exchange at cultural events. Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure and Events. doi:10.1080/19407963.2014.989857.

    Google Scholar 

  • Delamont, S. (2007). Arguments against auto-ethnography. In Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Annual Conference (5, p. 8). Retrieved April 17, 2014 from http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/168227.htm.

  • Denzin, N. K. (1997). Performance texts. In W. G. Tierney & Y. S. Lincoln (Eds.), Reframing the narrative voice (pp. 179–218). Albany: State University of New York Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, C. (1999). Heartful autoethnography. Qualitative Health Research, 9(5), 669–683.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, C. (2000). Creating criteria: An autoethnographic short story. Qualitative Inquiry, 6, 273–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, C. (2004). The ethnographic I: A methodological novel about autoethnography. Walnut Creak, CA: AltaMira Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, C. (2007). Telling secrets, revealing lives: Relational ethics in research with intimate others. Qualitative Inquiry, 13(1), 3–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, C. (2009). Revision: Autoethnographic reflections on life and work. Walnut Creak, CA: Left Coast Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, C. (2010). Final negotiations: A story of love, and chronic illness. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fleming, C. & Fullagar, S. (2007). Reflexive methodologies: An autoethnography of the gendered performance of sport/management. Annals of Leisure Research, 10(3), 238–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freeman, J. (2011). Solipsism, self-indulgence and circular arguments: Why autoethnography promises much more than it delivers. Journal of Arts & Communities, 3(3), 213–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gannon, S. (2006). The (im)possibilities of writing the self-writing: French poststructural theory and autoethnography. Critical Studies—Critical Methodologies, 6(4), 474–495.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helgadottir, G. & Dashper, K. (Forthcoming). ‘Dear international guests and friends of Icelandic horse’: Identity and issues of belonging at a niche sporting event. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism. doi: 10.1080/15022250.2015.1112303

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertz, R. (1997). Introduction: Reflexivity and voice. In R. Hertz (Ed.), Reflexivity and voice (pp. vii–xviii). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holloway, I., Brown, L., & Shipway, R. (2010). Meaning not measurement: Using ethnography to bring a deeper understanding to the participant experience of festivals and events. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 1(1), 74–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holt, N. J. (2003). Representation, legitimation and autoethnography: An autoethnographic writing story. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 2(1), 18–28.

    Google Scholar 

  • Humphreys, M. (2005). Getting personal: Reflexivity and autoethnographic vignettes. Qualitative Inquiry, 11(6), 840–860.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jago, B. (2002). Chronicling an academic depression. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 31, 729–756.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jago, B. (2011). Shacking up: An autoethnographic tale of cohabitation. Qualitative Inquiry, 17(2), 204–219.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jago, L. (2012). Endnote. In R. Shipway & A. Fyall (Eds.), International sports events (pp. 221–223). London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jaimangal-Jones, D. (2014). Using ethnography and participant observation in festival and event research. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 5(1), 39–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Josselson, R. (2007). The ethical attitude in narrative research: Principles and practicalities. In D. J. Clandinin (Ed.), Handbook of narrative inquiry (pp. 537–566). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Laurendeau, J. (2014). ‘Just tape it up for me, ok?’: Masculinities, injury and embodied emotion. Emotion, Space and Society, 12, 11–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T. H. & Chang, Y. S. (2012). The influence of experiential marketing and activity involvement on the loyalty intentions of wine tourists in Taiwan. Leisure Studies, 31(1), 103–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mackellar, J. (2013). Participant observation at events: Theory, practice and potential. International Journal of Event and Festival Management, 4(1), 56–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, T. (2008). Sport, authenticity, confession. Critical Studies—Critical Methodologies, 8(4), 540–542.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, M. (2008). What makes a good festival? Understanding the event experience. Event Management, 12, 81–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muncey, T. (2010). Creating autoethnographies. London: Sage.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ngunjiri, F. W., Hernandez, K. A., & Chang, H. (2010). Living autoethnography: Connecting life and research. Journal of Research Practice, 6(1), 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Noy, C. (2008). The poetics of tourist experience: An autoethnography of a family trip to Eilat1. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 5(3), 141–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rambo, C. (1995). Multiple reflections of child sexual abuse: An argument for a layered account. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 23(4), 395–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rambo, C. (2005). Impressions of a grandmother: An autoethnographic portrait. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 34(5), 560–585.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richardson, L. (2000). Evaluating ethnography. Qualitative Inquiry, 6(2), 253–255.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rojek, C. (2013). Event power: How global events manipulate and manage. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scarles, C. (2010). Where words fail, visuals ignite: Opportunities for visual autoethnography in tourism research. Annals of Tourism Research, 37(4), 905–926.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, B. & Sparkes, A. C. (2008). Contrasting perspectives on narrative selves and identities: An invitation to dialogue. Qualitative Research, 8(1), 5–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Snyder-Young, D. (2011). ‘Here to tell her story’: Analysing the autoethnographic performances of others. Qualitative Inquiry, 17(10), 943–951.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes, A. C. (1999). Exploring body narratives. Sport, Education and Society, 4(1), 17–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes, A. C. (2000). Autoethnography and narratives of self: Reflections on criteria in action. Sociology of Sport Journal, 17(1), 21–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparkes, A. C. (2002). Fictional representations: On difference, choice and risk. Sociology of Sport Journal, 12(1), 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolich, M. (2010). A critique of current practice: Ten foundational guidelines for autoethnographers. Qualitative Health Research, 20(12), 1599–1610.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomas, s. (2009). Writing and righting trauma: Troubling the autoethnographic voice. Forum: Qualitative Social Research, 10(1), Art.22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wall, S. (2008). Easier said than done: Writing an autoethnography. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 7(1), 38–53.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziakas, V. & Boukas, N. (2013). Extracting meanings of event tourist experiences: A phenomenological exploration of Limassol carnival. Journal of Destination Marketing and Management, 2(2), 94–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ■, ■, UK

    Katherine Dashper

Authors
  1. Katherine Dashper
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Events, Tourism and Hospitality, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom

    Ian R Lamond

  2. Hollings Faculty, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom

    Louise Platt

Copyright information

© 2016 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Dashper, K. (2016). Researching from the Inside: Autoethnography and Critical Event Studies. In: R Lamond, I., Platt, L. (eds) Critical Event Studies. Leisure Studies in a Global Era. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52386-0_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-52386-0_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-52384-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-52386-0

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation