ETHNOGRAPHY

Benefits of Ethnography

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An ethnographic research can turn out to be very beneficial providing rich understandings of the meanings and processes of people's lives. According to Murchison (2009) there is a number of positives in regard to Ethnography which include:

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• Introduction to certain qualities of group experiences that other research methodologies fail to involve.

• The ethnographic researcher has the opportunity to develop detailed knowledge about and from particular communities.

• Ethnography allows the researcher to gain deep understanding of the informants they are approaching, their context and how this context influences the informants' actions.

• Ethnography can provide context for human behaviours by observing the multifaceted aspects and features of group interactions and by identifying unanticipated phenomena and influences.

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Challenges of Ethnography

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While Ethnography can be a useful and advantageous research method it has certain challenges and limitations. Creswell (2007) points out some of the challenges of ethnography which include:

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• Observations may be biased in directions of inquiry and analysis since ethnographers bring their own experiences in recording field notes, conducting interviews, collecting and analysing data.

• Ethnographic research may involve high financial cost, as well as a significant length of time in the fieldwork in order to understand the culture. Moreover, field sites access can be time consuming and effortful.

• Ethnographers enter unfamiliar settings; therefore, their ability to build rapport and trust, whether by developing an ethical sense, speaking the same language and spending sufficient time in the fieldwork, is essential for the research progress.

• The ethnographic research output can be qualified by the researchers' ability to avoid offending or harming the informants.