Ethnography
Definition:
An
ethnography is a description and interpretation of a cultural or social group
or system (Creswell, 1998). In such a
study, the researcher examines the group’s observable and learned patterns of
behavior, customs, and ways of life (Harris, 1968). Here, the researcher becomes a participant observer, and gets
immersed in the day-to-day lives of the people or through one-on-one interviews
with members of the group. The researcher
focuses on the meanings of behavior, language, and inter-actions of the
culture-sharing group.
Procedures Involved In Conducting A Study:
·
The research begins
with the researcher looking at people in interaction in ordinary settings and
attempting to discern pervasive patterns such as life cycles, events, and
cultural themes.
·
To establish
patterns, the ethnographer engages in extensive work in the field (field work),
gathering information through observations, interviews, and materials helpful inn
developing a portrait and establishing “cultural rules” of the culture-sharing
group.
·
The researcher is
sensitive to gaining assess to the field through gatekeepers. The ethnographer locates key informants, i.e.,
individuals who provide useful insights into the group and can steer the
researcher to information and contacts.
The researcher is also sensitive about reciprocity between the
investigator and the subjects being studied, so that something will be returned
to the subjects being studied in exchange for their information. Lastly, the researcher is also sensitive to
reactivity, the impact of the researcher on the site and the people being
studied. The researcher also makes
every effort to make his/her intent known from the start to avoid any trace of
deception.
·
The researcher then
does a detailed description of the culture-sharing group or individual, an
analysis by themes or perspectives and some interpretation for meanings of
social interaction and generalizations about human social life.
Challenges:
·
The researcher needs
to have a grounding in cultural anthropology and the meanings of
social-cultural systems as well as the concepts typically explored by
ethnographers.
·
The time to collect
data is extensive, involving prolonged time in the field.
·
The style of
writing, literary (almost story telling approach), may limit audience and may
be challenging for some authors who are used to traditional approaches of
writing social science research.
·
There is the
possibility that the researcher would “go native” and be unable to complete the
study or be compromised in the study.
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on any of the other traditions or the comparison below to read on them.