Autoethnography is an emerging qualitative research method that
allows the author to write in a highly personalized style, drawing on his or
her experience to extend understanding about a societal phenomenon.
Autoethnography is grounded in postmodern philosophy and is linked to
growing debate about reflexivity and voice in social research. The intent of
autoethnography is to acknowledge the inextricable link between the personal
and the cultural and to make room for nontraditional forms of inquiry
and expression. In this autoethnography, the author explores the state of understanding
regarding autoethnography as a research method and describes
the experience of an emerging qualitative researcher in learning about this
new and ideologically challenging genre of inquiry.