The importance of familiarisation when doing research with young children

Abstract

Becoming familiar with ‘the field’ location and its inhabitants is a natural and important part of ethnographic research. However, little has been written about how operationalising a ‘familiarisation period’ within an ethnography can form the foundation on which fieldwork can be built. By reflecting on the experience of employing a familiarisation period within an ethnography with young children, this paper explores how key principles may be used to enhance research practice. The paper argues that the outlined principles of familiarisation are an important aspect of ethnography which need to be engaged with at the start of a study and also form a part of the reflexive process of ‘being in the field’. It is also argues that the familiarisation can be an important tool in effectively accessing children's ‘voice’ and working with so-called ‘hard to reach’ groups.

Keywords:

• familiarisation
• ethnography
• young children
• hard to reach

Acknowledgements

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the 2011 Oxford Ethnography Conference. Comments and feedback on this earlier paper have been invaluable in developing this final version and we would like to thank all who contributed to this discussion. We would also like to thank staff and children at Sunnyside who took part in the above-mentioned familiarisation period and study and whose active engagement prompted further reflection on the process of ‘doing ethnography’.

Notes

1. Names of places and individuals have been changed throughout to ensure anonymity.