Researching Family Secrets: Methodological Approach, Reflections and Recommendations
Abstract: In this article, I consider writing by research participants as a method of gathering data on sensitive, difficult or shameful topics. In doing so, I draw on the example of a research project on family narratives and family secrets. Gathering data on hidden, uncomfortable or even painful aspects of a family's past and present poses several challenges in a research project: Most people are reluctant to volunteer intimate insights into their family lives and dynamics. Moreover, in an interview situation, it is challenging to create the kind of rapport that allows a deeper conversation. Writing has been used by a number of scholars from different disciplines to gather data. In the first section, I review these approaches, as well as their benefits and disadvantages. I then describe and reflect upon the methodological approach taken for a project on memories of family members' actions and involvement during the Nazi era in Germany. Finally, I offer recommendations and reflections when
- Alternative title
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Die Erforschung von Familiengeheimnissen: methodische Herangehensweise, Reflexionen und Empfehlungen
- Location
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Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
- Extent
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Online-Ressource
- Language
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Englisch
- Notes
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Veröffentlichungsversion
begutachtet (peer reviewed)
In: Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research ; 21 (2020) 3 ; 12
- Classification
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Literatur, Rhetorik, Literaturwissenschaft
- Event
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Veröffentlichung
- (where)
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Mannheim
- (who)
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SSOAR, GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V.
- (when)
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2020
- Creator
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Lohmeier, Christine
- DOI
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10.17169/fqs-21.3.3515
- URN
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urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022040508471493872211
- Rights
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Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
- Last update
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25.03.2025, 1:46 PM CET
Data provider
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek. If you have any questions about the object, please contact the data provider.
Associated
- Lohmeier, Christine
- SSOAR, GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften e.V.
Time of origin
- 2020
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Researching Reproduction: Reflections on Qualitative Methodology in a Transforming Society
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“Hanging out” with judicial and legal elites: Reflections on researching “up”
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