“When I Stopped Making Sense, Senses Became Clearer!” Meaning-Making in Ethnographic Research

Abstract

Meaning-making is the central focus of all ethnographic writing. However, a methodical approach to mean-ing-making remains under-represented in literature and it is undermined in academic discourse. Taking two anecdotes of presenting preliminary senses of the ethnographic field materials of my doctoral research, I explore some issues central to meaning-making processes in ethnographic research on inclusive school governance. The paper argues that rather than adopting the ‘phased approach’ consisting of ‘data gathering’ and ‘meaning-making’, ethnographic research can better interweave these two for revealing a more comprehensive and insider view of reality. Moreover, reflecting on my experience and learning, I emphasize involving participants in the meaning-making process, which is not only desirable but possibly a reasonable option for neophyte ethnog-raphers.