Ethnologist as Foreign Body

A Systemic Explanation

Bibliographic Data

ID6014658
AuthorsMaude Arsenault (0000-0002-6766-5790, Université de Montréal, corresponding author)
Year2023
Volume3
Issue3
Pages219-238
Publication date2023-09-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHumans (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2673-9461 • E-ISSN: 2673-9461
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/humans3030018
OpenAlexW4386839323
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited34

During an ethnographic experience, which took place in a rehabilitation clinic, I had to deal with situations that required me to make a series of adjustments to my role in the clinic, so as to reduce my involvement with both patients and therapists. Although I expected to feel more at ease as the field progressed, instead, I felt as if my presence were more and more disruptive, and gradually becoming problematic. The systemic approach thus seemed the most relevant for clarifying the complexity of the interactions that were at play, and that shaped my experience, as I had to venture beyond reflexivity. The aim of this methodological article is to shed light on the need for constant adaptation in the ethnologist, in order to maintain their presence in the field, and obtain information to carry out research. In order to do so, a systemic triangulation has been performed based on the Donnadieu and Karsky method, leading to an analysis of some of the difficulties encountered, as highlighted via systemic thinking

Adaptation (eye · Business · Epistemology · Ethnography · Field (mathematics · Order (exchange · Reflexivity · Social science · Sociology · Triangulation · Cognitive and psychological constructs research · Philosophy · Psychology · Qualitative Research Methods and Applications · Social Representations and Identity

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Open DOIOpen Access