Methodology for close up studies – struggling with closeness and closure

Abstract

The paper critically reviews some themesand methods within qualitative research andargues for self-ethnography as an approach tostudy universities and other settings which theresearcher is highly familiar with, and hasdirect access to. Advantages and disadvantagesare discussed. In particular the strugglebetween utilizing closeness to empirically richsituations and avoid the closure following frombeing (staying) native is highlighted. Someideas for self-ethnographic work inorganization studies are developed.