ETHNOGRAPHIC RESEARCH

Its uses

What is Ethnographic Research?Ethnographic research is an attempt to obtain a

holistic picture as possible of a particular society, group, institution, setting or situation.

There are a variety of approaches used in this type of research. The key tools are all ethnographic studies are in-depth interviewing and on-going participant observation of a situation.

The emphasis is on documenting and portraying the individual experiences of individuals by observing them or by interview in order to get the “whole picture.”

Ethnographic ConceptsThese are needed to guide the researcher in

making his work and reaching conclusions which are:

Culture – according to behaviorists it is the sum of the social group’s observable pattern of behavior, customs and way of life. It is also the logical cohesive pattern in the myriad often ritualistic behavior and ideas of a group

The interpretation of culture is considered by many a primary contribution of ethnographic research

Holistic perspectiveIn conducting research, one must consider

the important background of the subject such as social structure, beliefs, politics, symbols, rituals and the environment

Developing a holistic example demands that the researcher spends a great time out in the field gathering all kinds of data.

ContextualizationThis is a process in which the data should fit

the background of the findings.For example a school administrator

recommended the termination of an after school tutoring project because of low attendance at 50% it was found out that 50% was a good figure since the students who attended were those who failed in the lessons.

“Emic” perspectiveThis is called the “insider’s” perspective.Behaviors can be easily understood by

researchers if they are in the “inside” of the research area.

There are what is called “multiple realities” which are allowed to be seen by the subject.

Thick DescriptionWhen researchers prepare their reports they

engage in thick description which involves describing things that hey have seen and heard in the field.

In thick description thick detail is mentioned

Number checkingA major objective of ethnographic research is

to represent as accurately as possible an emic perspective of reality.

This is done by number checking in which the participants review what the researchers have written to check for accuracy and completeness

Non-judgmental orientationHere the researchers do their best to refrain

from making value judgment about the unfamiliar practices.

Though none of us can be completely neutral, we must guard against the most obvious biases.

Do Ethnographic Researchers Use Concepts?

Topics that can use ethnographic researchThose by their very nature defy quantification i.e.

Interaction of students and teachers in classroom discussionThose that can be best understood in their natural rather

than artificial stateThose involving study of formal organization in their totality

i.e. Schools, school districts, etc.Those that involve study of activity i.e. Classes, athletic

teams, administrative units, etc.Those that involve study of individuals or groups over time.

i.e. Changes of student attitudes, reading programs, school programs, etc.

Those that study behaviors and roles. i.e. Attitude of school newly-hired teachers, new students, etc.

Data Collection in Ethnographic ResearchSamplingNo researcher however can sample

everything and can only observe a segment of the population

He has to make a representative of the population.

Data Analysis in Ethnographic ResearchSome researchers propose hypotheses to

predict results in advance.But rather they should address it with an

open-ended problem. i.e. What is the attitude of first-year students in this school

Descriptions should be better described as portrayals and data collected should include dedtailed prose descriptions.

The researchers aim to paint of a portrait of a school or classroom as thoroughly as possible

Data analysis Triangulation – find a common quality in the

subjectPattern – common ways how people behave

or thinkKey events – these occur in every social

group that generate informationVisual representation – maps, charts,

photographsStatistics – frequencies, modes, medians,

average

Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages – actual behavior is revealed;

causes of development can be obtained; researchers can see things in their natural state, not artificial or contrived.

Disadvantages – takes too much time; expensive; hard to digest “thick data,” it is impossible to make an absolute generalization when one is just studying a sample; there maybe defects in the validity of the conclusions; the bias of the researcher remains

Main Parts of Ethnographic Research“Dumping Ground or Effective Alternative”AbstractPurposeJustificationDefinitionAssumptionReview of related literature/prior researchMethod and data collectionBody/ sample collectionResultsInterpretation/Analysis/cause and effectsConclusionRecommendation/s