Supplementary and alternative methods: Dervin's sense-making methodology

This chapter explores how Dervin's sense-making methodology might contribute to autoethnographic research. Considers several autoethnographic research study examples alongside discussion of sense-making methodology and organisational sensemaking methods. Examples of autoethographic research include various organisational ethnographic studies that consider identity, cultural issues, personal learning and transformation. Discusses sense-making's contribution to interviewing and reflection, and questions about communication as a process when doing autoethnographic research, with emphasis on the “verbing mandates” of self relating to self, self relating to others and self relating to collectivity. Considers how meaning is created and new knowledge is generated. Concludes that sense-making methodology provides some useful frameworks for autoethnographic researchers.