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Ethnography and homelessness research

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  • Jennifer E. Hoolachan

Abstract

Papers dedicated solely to research methods are rare within housing studies. This is despite the importance of ensuring methodological rigour within studies that may go on to influence further research, practice and policy. Likewise ethnographic housing research is relatively uncommon even though this approach captures data at a greater level of depth than other methods. Building upon the work of prominent housing researchers who advocate the use of ethnography, this paper highlights the benefits of this approach for housing and homelessness studies, as well as discussing some of its challenges. An overview of ethnography is given to outline its origins; theoretical influences; benefits and challenges in relation to homelessness research. A study that focused on the drug and alcohol behaviours of young, homeless people in Scotland is then introduced. Drawing on this study, a reflexive account of researcher bias and self-disclosure is presented along with consideration of the processes involved in building trust and obtaining informed consent in ethnography. The paper argues the case for this method within housing research and, further, considers the value of ethnography as an approach in the context of growing interest in the lived experiences of people in relation to housing.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer E. Hoolachan, 2016. "Ethnography and homelessness research," International Journal of Housing Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 16(1), pages 31-49, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:intjhp:v:16:y:2016:i:1:p:31-49
    DOI: 10.1080/14616718.2015.1076625
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    Cited by:

    1. Fiona Catherine Long & Kirsty Stuart Jepsen, 2023. "Situating Stigma: An Ethnographic Exploration of How Stigma Arises in Interactions at Different Stages of People’s Drug Use Journeys," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(19), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Evgeniia Nikolaevna Kuziner, 2023. "‘People Don’t Live There, on the Streets—They Are Surviving’: Gender Specifics of Homelessness Coping Strategies in St. Petersburg, Russia," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Jacques Toit & Mark Napier & Lochner Marais & Jan Cloete & Beth Crankshaw, 2022. "A typology of designs for housing research: improving methodological coherence of paradigm, approach and design," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 3875-3891, December.

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