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 .... https://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/3515

Objekt anzeigen

• Standort: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Umfang: Online-Ressource
• Sprache: Englisch

Verweise und Beziehungen

• Erschienen in: Researching Family Secrets: Methodological Approach, Reflections and Recommendations ; volume:21 ; number:3 ; day:28 ; month:09 ; year:2020 ; Forum qualitative Sozialforschung ; 21, Heft 3 (28.09.2020)

Beteiligte, Orts- und Zeitangaben

• Urheber: Lohmeier, Christine

Weitere Informationen

• DOI: 10.17169/fqs-21.3.3515
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022011411411104207675
• Rechteinformation: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.