The Future of Autoethnographic Criteria

Abstract

Recently Szwabowski argued that we should not have any criteria by which to judge, evaluate, or review autoethnographic texts. While there are dangers of conformity whenever criteria are utilized, criteria can also act as a guide. Here, I cover the autoethnography triad of auto-, ethno-, and -graphy as the three main criteria for a work to be considered autoethnographic. I argue that criteria do not necessitate exclusion nor does it necessarily end dialogue. Criteria can act as a way to guide and edify the voices of future autoethnographers, including those who are working in different mediums such as animation, film, and photography.

A tale of two Peters: an analysis of the life of Peter Green using collaborative/community autoethnography and digital team ethnography

“…The method also enables otherwise unheard voices to be heard and listened to and empowers the otherwise ‘unrepresented’ and, lastly, it enables a direct communication of their experience to a readership, who otherwise may not have had any insider knowledge of the subject matter (Voyce and Cordle, 2012, Voyce, 2018). Autoethnography need not be definitive, rather it might imply a continued relationship with readers, not to be abandoned after the piece of work is completed (Herrmann, 2022). As Coffey (2017) wrote, “your story is not your own”.…”

Crafting and recognising good enough autoethnographies: a practical guide and checklist

“…The Herrmann article further clarifies the necessary component parts of work claiming to be autoethnographic (Herrmann, 2022; Richardson and St. Pierre, 2018). The Richardson and St Pierre chapter will help you better understand the humanities and social science basis of autoethnography, in the context of qualitative inquiry more broadly.…”

“…Although some degree of extrapolation is possible, this guide and checklist should be used with caution in developing performance- and image-based autoethnography, such as animation, documentary cinema or photographic collage. Such work may need more discipline-specific criteria, at least at the level of judging whether it sufficiently measures up to adequate social scientific and aesthetic standards (Herrmann, 2022).…”