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Revealing the hidden performances of social work practice: The ethnographic process of gaining access, getting into place and impression management

Leigh, Jadwiga; Disney, Tom; Warwick, Lisa; Ferguson, Harry; Beddoe, Liz; Cooner, Tarsem Singh

Revealing the hidden performances of social work practice: The ethnographic process of gaining access, getting into place and impression management Thumbnail


Authors

Jadwiga Leigh

Tom Disney

Harry Ferguson

Liz Beddoe

Tarsem Singh Cooner



Abstract

Whilst the empirical process of research highlights substantive findings, understanding the methodological approach in which access is gained and sustained on field sites is also an integral part of the data. Gaining access in ethnographic studies, in particular, is a complex task which requires researchers to continually negotiate systems and processes in order that they may reflect on the socially embedded practices of their chosen fields. However once the researchers are accepted, the ethnographer then has to be aware of the effect their presence has on the field and that access is continual process of negotiation and contestation. Based on a longitudinal study which conducted a 15-month ethnography in two social work organizations, this article will explore the dilemmas various members of a research team experienced when trying to blend into the different sites. And then, once having achieved their desired position, the challenges they encountered when they realized their presence was affecting the performances of their participants. We conclude by discussing the importance of reflexivity, power and ethics. Ethnographic research may be a more natural way for researchers to collect data but it is also a method which positions researchers in situations where they can easily influence encounters and, in effect, become part of the findings as well.

Citation

Leigh, J., Disney, T., Warwick, L., Ferguson, H., Beddoe, L., & Cooner, T. S. (2020). Revealing the hidden performances of social work practice: The ethnographic process of gaining access, getting into place and impression management. Qualitative Social Work, 20(4), 1078-1095. https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325020929067

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 7, 2020
Online Publication Date Jun 9, 2020
Publication Date Jul 1, 2020
Deposit Date May 7, 2020
Publicly Available Date Jun 9, 2020
Journal Qualitative Social Work
Print ISSN 1473-3250
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 20
Issue 4
Pages 1078-1095
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/1473325020929067
Keywords Ethnography, gaining access, performativity, dramaturgy, emotional labour, impression management, Goffman
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4391625
Publisher URL https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1473325020929067

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