La subjetividad del investigador en terreno: Sistematización de una experiencia reflexiva de inmersión etnográfica

Abstract

This article inspects the place that personal implication occupies and the reflexive practices of the researcher have in reflexive ethnography. Based on a total immersion field study that took place in an area in the southern end of Santiago, we analyze the importance of biographical, affective and social attributes of the researcher when conducting the research. In particular, using an ethnographical account, we show how a process of self-objectivation and self-analysis helped the researcher to confront the integration difficulties and to find her place in the midst of the community under study. We finally conclude that reflexive exercise does help to effectively include in the research personal attributes of the researcher, as well as biographical elements and the conditions in which the study is being conducted. Within this framework – the sensitivity of the researcher becomes part of her core knowledge toolkit.