Paper Short Abstract:

This study examines the evolving researcher-participant relationship in ethnographic research, focusing on reflexivity and intersubjectivity's role in understanding the friendship closeness in research (Tillmann, 2015). By analyzing the author's ethnographic experiences, the research reveals that friendship closeness can involve emotional aspects, expression, and empathy while maintaining ethical boundaries. It highlights the researcher's ethical responsibilities throughout the investigation and writing processes, including continuous participant consent verification. Applying Bakhtin's dialogic framework, the study argues that the researcher-participant relationship is fluid and emotion-infused, necessitating closeness. It concludes by emphasizing transparency about the research process and limitations and the researcher's obligation to protect participants from harm in ethnographic studies involving friendship closeness.

Paper Abstract:

This study examines the changing nature of researcher-participant relationships in ethnographic enquiries, with a particular emphasis on the scholarly language surrounding this interaction. The study examines the growth of qualitative methods, notably the rising emphasis on reflexivity and intersubjectivity, and how these relate to understanding researcher-participant closeness. Employing Tillmann's "friendship as method" concept, the study examines the author's personal ethnographic experiences, focussing on the established closeness with participants and the unexpected relationship dynamics that emerged. This study demonstrates the possibility for closeness in ethnographic work to include emotional characteristics, expression, and empathy while also recognising the importance of preserving ethical boundaries. It emphasises the necessity of the researcher's ethical perspective throughout the investigative and writing processes, as well as the need for continual consent verification with participants at various stages of the research. Using Bakhtin's dialogic framework, the study posits that the researcher-participant interaction is fluid and emotionally charged, rather than fixed and static, demanding closeness. Finally, the study emphasises the importance of transparency about the research process and its restrictions, as well as the researcher's responsibility to protect participants from harm when doing ethnographic research with friendship closeness.