ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

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ETHNOGRAPHY

Emerged out of anthropological tradition It means: to write about people or cultures from the Greek words ethnos (people) and graphei (write) It is a methodology for descriptive studies of cultures and peoples. A kind of research used mostly by anthropologists, which features direct, qualitative observation of and interaction with people in their natural settings.

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ETHNOGRAPHY

The researcher engages in fieldwork utilizing participant observation intensive interviewing To understand the culture of the group being studied, or some aspect of it Intensive interaction with communities The result is a written (or filmed) ethnographic account or report.

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HISTORY OF ETHNOGRAPHY

Interest in other cultures has long history Ethnography emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries European and American colonialism led to ethnographic fieldwork by government officials, administrators, missionaries

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ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS

Field work is: The study of people and of their culture in their natural habitat. Anthropological fieldwork has been characterized by the prolonged residence of the investigator, his participation in and observation of the society, and his attempt to understand the inside view of the native peoples (Powdermaker 1969)
Participant observation methods.

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PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

Learning to see, describe, remember and to become aware

The researcher participates in everyday life conducts detailed observations of behaviour & interpersonal communication makes direct observations of significant events

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PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

Spend extended period living in a community, learning the language, understanding social life, gaining familiarity with customs Permission to enter the community may need to be negotiated The role of the researcher is known to the community

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SETTINGS

Traditional or conventional setting is a village, small tribal group or small town Contemporary ethnography may be conducted in an institution or organisation (laboratory, school, hospital), in a town or a dispersed community Participant observation may take place in public space (e.g. park, streets, restaurant) And in private spaces, such as in peoples homes

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WHAT TO OBSERVE

Places and Contexts Physical environments Objects People: who, how many, roles Activities: what, when, recurrent or unique . . . Behaviors Interactions Symbolic meaning of words, non-verbal communication

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RISKS AND DIFFICULTIES

Community entry may take a long time Tensions between groups/individuals may affect data collection Observation may change the usual behaviour of an individual or community Research may provoke greater reflection and analysis among participants than is usual The researcher and host community may find it difficult to clarify the role of the researcher Observation and participation will always be selective and partial you can only be in one place at one time
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ETHNOGRAPHIC METHODS/THEORY

Draws upon other qualitative methods: interviews, group discussion, participatory activities etc. Influenced by other theories, phenomenology, feminism, grounded theory, postmodernism

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IMPORTANCE OF ETHNOGRAPHY

It gives primary attention to people as they live their everyday lives or are involved in particular situations affecting them Data-gathering emphasizes their perspectives and meanings The validity of their ways of thinking and behaving in their particular setting; categories of information come from their testimony and observed behavior; empirical research

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Contd

It is non-judgmental, embodying intrinsic respect for peoples views, behaviors and cultural logic
Ethnography an individual has to be armed with pad and pencil, tape recorder, or audio-visual equipment The proper orientation and basic knowledge of the methodology; ethnography is not capital or technology intensive Gain respect for perspectives often different from their own; a powerful learning methodology
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CHARACTERISTICS OF ETHNOGRAPHY

Aim is to understand the nature of particular socio-cultural phenomena in contrast to testing hypotheses Heavily descriptive in investigating unstructured data in a holistic framework; low priority to quantification and statistical description Intense focus on a small number of cases rather than large sample sizes

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..Contd

Commitment to data reflecting peoples own explanations of their behavior and values
Analysis builds on peoples discussions and actions; explanations seek patterns and generate theory Brings a depth of understanding to peoples behavior, values and culture in holistic and historical modes that are not readily available through sample surveys

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ANTHROPOLOGICAL CONCEPTS UNDERLYING ETHNOGRAPHY

Culture Holistic perspective Contextualization Emic and Etic: insiders perspective with multiple realities versus: external social scientists perspectives

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Contd

Nonjudgmental orientation Inter-and intracultural diversity Structure and function Symbol and ritual

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ISSUES IN ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

Entry and introduction: known sponsor, honesty as to purpose Immersion: language, living like the people, length of time (from normative to behavioral) Purposeful sampling: maximum learning through key informants, focus group discussions

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Contd

Fieldnotes: jottings, diary, log, notes are the essence of ethnography Coding Validity and reliability Personal involvement: feminist ethnography, health issues

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ETHNOGRAPHY TODAY

Broad definitions of the field including every imaginable human group and context

Institutional settings New religious movements Elderly patients in hospices Fire fighters Drug dealers Grey nomads Preparations for extraterrestrial anthropology for fieldwork on space stations

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