Albert, Marie-Noëlle
Autopraxeography
- 2017.
27
Autopraxeography is a method used by researchers to build generic knowledge. This paper aims to demonstrate how the use of reflexivity within this approach enables a scientific exploration of new practices and provides insights into challenging circumstances. To this end, this first-person method adopts a pragmatic constructivist epistemological perspective. Thus, the purpose of knowledge is not to generate an accurate depiction of reality, but to give meaning to situations involving human depictions. This method is also based on the distinction between the concepts of “reflectivity” and “reflexivity.” Autopraxeography features three characteristics not found in other first-person approaches. The first has to do with the epistemological paradigm in which it is rooted. Indeed, the knowledge generated is neither nomothetic, nor idiographic (as is the case with most first-person approaches). The second characteristic arises from the first. Indeed, in order to produce generic knowledge, this method uses external reflexivity based on an extensive literature. The third characteristic stems from the obligatory past-tense writing of the testimony. These characteristics allow us to explain the methodological process, as well as its limitations. Hence, the use of multiple types of reflexivity allows researchers to gain perspective on a specific challenging experience and to build actionable generic knowledge.