ETHNOGRAPHY

Ethnography is quite a broad research area with a variety of methods. However, the most common approach is participant research. Along with this, there are a range of methods that are involved with the ethnographic process. They can be separated into the three aspects of the ethnographic process: Preparation, Collection and Analyzation (Murchison, 2009).

 

Preparation

• Research Design

• Proposal: A key aspect of the ethnographic process is the 'warrant' for such research. It is a uniquely ethnographical challenge. It is incumbent on the ethnographer to establish the grounds to argue that there is a need for study in the first place. There are varying opinions on what warrants are needed for the ethnographic process but they can be generally separated into two key foci:

1. Does this piece contribute to our understanding of social life?

2. Does the writer demonstrate a deeply grounded human-world understanding and perspective? (Kendall & Thangaraj, 2012)

• Field Notes: This is a method that is relevant to the entire ethnographic process. The process of writing and recording research notes is essential to ethnographic research. This is the primary research instrument for ethnography and as such it plays a vital role in producing, measuring and recording information or data.

 

Collection

• Participant Observation: This is the core methodological stance of ethnography and involves the ethnographer trying to make sense of research subjects daily realities.

• Interviews: It is important to note the centrality of the ethnographer in the interview process. They are their own research tool (Hammersley & Atkinson, 2007). They learn by actively experiencing fieldwork alongside their research subjects. This process of participation and observation is designed to help shape questions to further understanding. The ethnographic interview should not be an interrogation. The ethnographer sees themselves as an engaged conversationalist.

• Ethnographic Maps: Most ethnographies include maps of some kind. These maps serve as a representation of the physical and geographical layout of space and how individuals conceptualize space. Maps help ethnographers capture and map space and movement.

 

Analyzation

• Sorting and Coding Data: Critical to the process is the critical analyzation of data. This involves them collecting the right information for the topic and did they track their analysis throughout the process?