It is used not only to study distant or unfamiliar cultures, but also to study specific communities within the researcher’s own society. For example, ethnographic research (sometimes called participant observation) has been used to investigate gangs, football fans, call center workers, and police officers. Advantages of ethnography
What are ethnographic examples?
In brief, the benefits of using ethnographic research are explained below, as follows:
- Generate a deep understanding. ...
- Obtaining or obtaining data from the main source means having a high level of giddiness.
- Generate rich descriptions, specific and detailed explanations
- Researchers interact directly with social communities to study.
How do you compose a research question in ethnography?
- Could the information you need be collected in another way (e.g. a survey, interviews)?
- How difficult will it be to gain access to the community you want to study?
- How exactly will you conduct your research, and over what timespan?
- What ethical issues might arise?
What are examples of ethnographic research?
Examples of ethnographic research subjects are found across an array of cultural, geographic, ethnic, political and identitarian boundaries from the homeless population in Chicago to Italian investment bankers or Sri Lanka female migrant workers. The scope of the types of subjects found in ethnographic practice is virtually limitless.
What are some examples of an ethnographic research question?
Some of the common questions are listed below:
- Why do organizations such as clubs, churches, or political parties exist?
- How are social organizations changing their foci in a changing world?
- Have current parenting styles in China changed from the styles used during the Qing Dynasty?
- How does westernization influence the perception of beauty in the media?
What is a ethnography?
Ethnography is a research method central to knowing the world from the standpoint of its social relations. It is a qualitative research method predicated on the diversity of culture at home (wherever that may be) and abroad.
What are some examples of an ethnographic research question?
Some question samples for business ethnographic research include the following:What do you enjoy about this product or service?Why do you use this product?What specific needs does the product meet for you?What specific needs does the product fail to meet?Does the pricing of the product equate its value?
How do you write an ethnographic example?
To write a basic ethnography you need these five essential parts:A thesis. The thesis establishes the central theme and message of your research study. ... Literature Review. A literature review is an analysis of previous research now on your research topic. ... Data Collection. ... Data Analysis. ... Reflexivity.
What is ethnography in research method?
Ethnography is a qualitative research method in which a researcher—an ethnographer—studies a particular social/cultural group with the aim to better understand it.
What is ethnography simple?
Ethnography is a type of qualitative research that involves immersing yourself in a particular community or organization to observe their behavior and interactions up close. The word “ethnography” also refers to the written report of the research that the ethnographer produces afterwards.
What is an example of ethnographic research in nursing?
Observing medical personnel in a high-volume hospital An ethnographer may study medical personnel inside a high-volume hospital to understand hospital culture and how the staff handles stress. Because of the environment, the ethnographer may observe passively so as to not disrupt their work.
What is the best topic for ethnography?
A list of ethnographic topics and titlesA study of homeless people in the local area.Career choices of people with higher IQs.The lifestyle of competitive bodybuilders.A study of the Italians and the health benefits of the Mediterranean lifestyle.A study of the Welsh-speaking community in Chile.More items...
What are the types of ethnography?
Types of Ethnography There are two main types of ethnographic research, depending on how it is conducted: relational and digital. These types of ethnography enable researchers to learn about the language, culture, social relationships, food availability, and habits of people that may not have been studied before.
What does an ethnography paper look like?
Main Parts of an Ethnography Paper Introduction – Background information, Thesis statement. Literature review – review of the existing literature. Methodology – Data collection methods. Data analysis.
What are the main focuses of ethnographic research?
Ethnography focuses on interpretation, understanding and representation. Methodological principles such as naturalism, understanding and induction draw on different philosophical backgrounds and, therefore, produce different types of ethnography.
1. Open vs. closed settings
The setting of your ethnographic research refers to the environment in which you observe and conduct your research, and this setting may be open or closed. When a research group is open, the setting is public and does not block the ethnographer from fully viewing the community and its activities.
2. Overt vs. covert ethnography
Generally speaking, most ethnographic studies are overt, meaning that the researcher clearly defines and explains their purposes for being there. An overt study is potentially more ethical because it allows the group to make an informed decision on whether they consent to the researcher or not.
3. Active vs. passive observation
The level at which an ethnographer interacts with the group can also affect the results, as their actions can influence how the community members behave. However, the level of active or passive involvement of the researcher depends on the context of the group.
1. Observing a group of children playing
A researcher can observe a group of eight elementary school children playing on a playground to understand their habits, personalities and social dynamics. In this setting, the researcher observes one child each week over the course of eight weeks and notes their preferences, like the toys and playground equipment they use the most.
2. Observing employees in a corporate office
A researcher may study a group of employees at a business consulting agency to determine the work culture. The researcher may observe their interactions with clients to understand how they behave with people outside of their workspace.
3. Observing medical personnel in a high-volume hospital
An ethnographer may study medical personnel inside a high-volume hospital to understand hospital culture and how the staff handles stress. Because of the environment, the ethnographer may observe passively so as to not disrupt their work.
4. Observing an indigenous village
An ethnographer may study a village of indigenous people on an island to observe their culture and customs outside of modern civilization. Using a translator, the ethnographer uses overt ethnography to inform them of the purpose but observes passively as to not interfere with their daily functions.
What is the definition of ethnography?
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ... Ethnography, descriptive study of a particular human society or the process of making such a study.
What is ethnography in history?
See Article History. Ethnography, descriptive study of a particular human society or the process of making such a study. Contemporary ethnography is based almost entirely on fieldwork and requires the complete immersion of the anthropologist in the culture and everyday life of the people who are the subject of his study. Margaret Mead.
How long do ethnographers stay in the field?
Many ethnographers reside in the field for a year or more, learning the local language or dialect and, to the greatest extent possible, participating in everyday life while at the same time maintaining an observer’s objective detachment.
What is the academic field of ethnography?
The latter, a term more widely used in Europe, encompasses the analytical and comparative study of cultures in general, which in American usage is the academic field known as cultural anthropology (in British usage, social anthropology).
What is the term for a person who can provide information on rituals, kinship, or other significant aspects
In addition to the technique of participant-observation, the contemporary ethnographer usually selects and cultivates close relationships with individuals, known as informants, who can provide specific information on ritual, kinship, or other significant aspects of cultural life.
Who wrote about other ways of life?
The description of other ways of life is an activity with roots in ancient times. Herodotus, the Greek traveler and historian of the 5th century bc, wrote of some 50 different peoples he encountered or heard of, remarking on their laws, social customs, religion, and appearance.
Is ethnography a comparative field?
Ethnography, by virtue of its intersubjective nature, is necessarily comparative. Given that the anthropologist in the field necessarily retains certain cultural biases, his observations and descriptions must, to a certain degree, be comparative.
What are some examples of ethnography?
Examples of Ethnography: A researcher spends an entire month in an elementary school classroom in an effort to describe the culture of the classroom. The researcher may observe interactions between the teacher and students and between the students. The researcher may observe the lessons, as well as look at lesson plans and curriculum materials.
What is ethnography in research?
Ethnography is the study and description of individual people, groups, and cultures. Ethnography is a type of qualitative research, meaning that the data gathered is in the form of words rather than numbers. Ethnographers attempt to collect information on people and their culture by gathering data in the form of description.
Why do anthropologists spend a year in Africa?
An anthropologist spends a year in a small village in Africa in an attempt to describe the customs surrounding coming of age in the tribe. The anthropologist may observe coming of age rites, shadow adolescents who are coming of age, and interview tribal leaders.
How long does a researcher spend shadowing nurses?
The researcher may shadow gang members, participate in gang "ceremonies," or customs, and interview gang members. A researcher spends six months shadowing nurses in a neonatal intensive care unit in an effort to describe the culture of caring and coping that exists among the nurses.
What Is Ethnographic Research?
When we wish to understand a particular social phenomenon, ethnographic research can be a useful tool.
Ethnographic Research Methods
As we’ve discovered, ethnographic research is a method often used to study another culture or group of people. It’s a powerful tool to understand the world better. It can be done through observation, active participation and even interviews with the people being studied.
When To Use Ethnographic Research Methods
Some consider ethnographic research more art than science. Cultures and cultural phenomena aren’t easy to quantify, so they can be open to interpretation. That’s when the meaning of ethnographic research really comes into its own.
Examples Of Ethnographic Research
Ethnographic research can be used to study issues big and small, cultural or business-related. Here are a few examples of its uses:
Challenges Of Ethnographic Research
As with other research methods, there are challenges to ethnographic research. It’s important to consider these before choosing the right research method. Here are some points to keep in mind:
Advantages Of Ethnographic Research
Just as there are drawbacks, there are clear advantages to using ethnographic research. Let’s recap these:
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What is ethnography in literature?
by priya parul. Ethnography is a qualitative research method which involves a detailed study of a particular cultural group. The word ethnography comes from Greek words Ethnos meaning people and Graphein meaning writing. That is why Ethnography is also known as “culture writing”.
What is the difference between ethnography and ethnography?
Difference between Ethnography and Ethnology is that while ethnography is focused on one single culture or an aspect of a culture, Ethnology concerns itself with the comparative study of various ethnographies. Many journals publish ethnographic research works on a variety of topics.
What is ethnography in anthropology?
Ethnography is one of the most distinctive characteristics of Anthropology. Socio-cultural anthropologists who write ethnographies are termed as ethnographers. The methodology of Ethnography relies typically on participant observation and qualitative data collection.
What is the American ethnology journal?
American Ethnologist (published by AAA and organized by American Ethnological Association), Anthropological Quarterly (published by Institute for Ethnographic research of George Washington University) and Cultural Anthropology (by Society for Cultural Anthropology) include mostly cultural anthropology articles.
Is ethnocentric research important in anthropology?
While conducting any research in Anthropology, the researchers try not be ethnocentric by using the tool of cultural relativism. As the holistic study is important in Anthropology, ethnographers also apply a holistic approach to focus on most of the aspects of a culture.
Why is ethnography used in social studies?
As researchers returned with such detailed insight, other disciplines in the social sciences began to use ethnography as a research methodology to understand group dynamics in modern situations, such as prisons, schools, work places, and places of worship. The Challenges of Writing Ethnographies.
What is an ethnographic study?
Ethnographic studies are types of qualitative research publications. Before we dive into the details of ethnographies, let's clarify the differences between quantitative and qualitative studies. Quantitative studies are those that use numerical data and statistical analyses to test their hypotheses. If completed correctly, quantitative studies can ...
Why is ethnography so challenging?
That's why ethnographies can be so challenging - the amount of time it takes just to accomplish sufficient data collection is difficult, and it requires someone whose mind is open to different ideas, definitions, priorities, and cultures.
Do qualitative studies use numerical data?
On the other hand, qualitative studies don't use numerical data. Instead, they use different methods to tell a detailed story about a theory or phenomenon by providing a thick, rich description that recreates an event, shares a story, or describes a culture or setting. {"error":true,"iframe":true}.
What are some examples of ethnography?
Some examples of ethnography include traditional anthropologic texts, but also work being done in marketing and user experience, such as conducting interviews to understand how the user relates to products or services. One interesting approach is the ethnography of c. Continue Reading.
What is ethnography in literature?
Continue Reading. Ethnography is like a picture of a culture. It describes the various systems and relationships that surround every day life of individuals and sometimes specific cultural practices. Here are a few books that are either ethnographies or use ethnography for their main point of analysis.
What is ethnographic mapping?
Ethnographic mapping is when an Anthropologist creates a map of the community being studied. The map can show where people live, where important buildings are located, places where medicinal plants can be found, favorite fishing areas, where people work, and more. Genealogical Methods.
What do anthropologists do with photos?
Photos & Videos. Anthropologists also take photos and videos, to document parts of life in the community. Photos can document things like technology, and show everything from tools to machines. Videos can document things like rituals and dances.
What is the name of the document that anthropologists write down in notebooks?
All the data collected is written down in notebooks, which are called field notes . When the Anthropologist returns home, they compile all the information they gathered in their field notes and write a detailed description of the culture they studied. This is called an ethnography. Related Answer.
How do anthropologists study cultures?
Some Anthropologists study living cultures by doing ethnographic research or ethnographic fieldwork. In this kind of research, Anthropologists study a culture by going to the place where the culture is located, and living with the people of that culture.
What Is Ethnography Used for?
- Ethnographic research originated in the field of anthropology, and it often involved an anthropologist living with an isolated tribal community for an extended period of time in order to understand their culture. This type of research could sometimes last for years. For example, Colin M. Turnbull lived with the Mbuti people for three years in order...
Different Approaches to Ethnographic Research
- There are a few key distinctions in ethnography which help to inform the researcher’s approach: open vs. closed settings, overt vs. covert ethnography, and active vs. passive observation. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Gaining Access to A Community
- An important consideration for ethnographers is the question of access. The difficulty of gaining access to the setting of a particular ethnography varies greatly: 1. To gain access to the fans of a particular sports team, you might start by simply attending the team’s games and speaking with the fans. 2. To access the employees of a particular business, you might contact the manageme…
Working with Informants
- All ethnographies involve the use ofinformants. These are people involved in the group in question who function as the researcher’s primary points of contact, facilitating access and assisting their understanding of the group. This might be someone in a high position at an organization allowing you access to their employees, or a member of a community sponsoring your entry into that co…
Observing The Group and Taking Field Notes
- The core of ethnography is observation of the group from the inside. Field notesare taken to record these observations while immersed in the setting; they form the basis of the final written ethnography. They are usually written by hand, but other solutions such as voice recordings can be useful alternatives. Field notes record any and all important data: phenomena observed, conv…
Writing Up An Ethnography
- After observations are concluded, there’s still the task of writing them up into an ethnography. This entails going through the field notes and formulating a convincing account of the behaviors and dynamics observed.