Don't Argue with the Members

Authors

Jaber F. Gubrium, University of Missouri - Kansas CityFollow
James A. Holstein, Marquette UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

14 p.

Publication Date

12-2011

Publisher

Springer

Source Publication

The American Sociologist

Source ISSN

0003-1232

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1007/s12108-011-9145-y

Abstract

Mel Pollner regularly cautioned researchers not to argue with the members of settings under consideration. He warned against substituting the researcher’s meaning for the meanings of those being studied. This article discusses facets of the caution as they relate to the research process. Seemingly simple, the tenet is nuanced in application. The article adds to the nuance by distinguishing what is called the “replacement” of meaning with the “displacement” of meaning, providing a way of understanding what members could mean if the contexts and settings of their accounts were taken into consideration.

Comments

Published version. The American Sociologist, Vol. 43, No. 1 (December, 2011): 85–98. DOI. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. Used with permission.

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Recommended Citation

Gubrium, Jaber F. and Holstein, James A., "Don't Argue with the Members" (2011). Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications. 42.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/socs_fac/42