Ethnography and community development

Research Method ETHNOGRAPH

Y

Presented by

Gelica

History of Ethnography– Derived from the Greek word ɛθvoҁ(ethnos) meaning - a company --

graphy – field of study; (thus the meaning)(Geertz 1973)

– Ethnography was developed by Gerhard Friedrich Muller (a professor of History and Geography). He was working in the second Kamachatka Expedition in 1743-44 (Vermeulen 2008).

– He differentiated Völker-Beschreibung as a distinct study.

– The term was introduced into academia by August Schlözer and Christoph Gatterer in an attempt to understand World History (Vermeulen 2008)

History of Ethnography– American based researchers Franz Boas, Bronislaw Malinowski, Ruth

Benedict and Margaret Mead contributed to idea of cultural relativism in Literature.

– Malinowski – did extensive work in (Trobriand Islands) ethnography and is now known as the father of ethnography

What is Ethnography– It is described as a scientific description of the customs and cultures of specific

individuals.

– It is used to explore communities/people by observing their society.

– Involves living with the group for an extended period of time

– It was pioneered from anthropology but has become popular in social sciences.

Malinowski’s Method– “I consider that only such ethnography sources are of unquestionable scientific

value, in which we can clearly draw the line between, on the one hand, the results of direct observations and of native statements and interpretations, and on the other hand, the inferences of the author, based on his common sense and psychological insight” (Malinowski, 1992)

– Accurate information, complex information, observation, join yourself with the natives, be native (Malinowski 1992)

Aims of Ethnography – It focuses on the predictable patterns of specific groups through their behavior.

– Gives a detailed description of habits, routines, rituals and customs of the particular groups being studied.(Exploring rather than testing)

– In the macro level it looks at social justice in informing social changes in multicultural societies

– Data analysis is the interpretation of the meaning observed

Usage of Ethnography– Work that cannot be defy by quantitative analysis – example: undergraduate vs

graduate students interaction in classroom discussions.

– Studies relating to a specific group – example: Attitude toward re-cycling

– Studies of natural and unnatural behavior – example students on a field trip as oppose to them being in a classroom setting

Ethnographer’s Jargon– Emic – inside

– Etic – outside

– Key informant(KI)/Key actor – person to whom closely relates to the ethnographer

– Culture – the group’s behavior, beliefs and values

Source: uidaho.edu - class ppt. on ethnography (SlideShare)

Characteristics of Ethnography

Research – Contextual

– Unobtrusive

– Longitudinal

– Collaborative

– Interpretative

– Organic

Source: www.slideshare.net/rhydave24/ethnography-research-7659486

Advantages of Ethnography

– Richer comprehensive prospective – in-depth understanding of the culture amongst group of interest

– Gives importance to a specific group – provides understanding to outsiders

– Accounts for interpretation that goes far beyond quantitative research

Source: http://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/all-resources/category/108-day-5?download=805:ethnographic-research-methods.

Disadvantages of Ethnography

– Time consuming and can be expensive

– Variables and relationships are hard to define – research usually begins without the researcher have a specific hypothesis

– Dependent on researcher’s observations and interpretations


Ethnography Outline– Topic

– Fieldwork

– Methodology

–

– Analysis

– Report

Ethnography Stages– Negotiating entry

– Introductory period

– Gathering information

Source: uidaho.edu - class ppt. on ethnography (SlideShare)

Types of Ethnographic Research– Realist

– Objective, Unbiased account of written in third person

– Interpretations are based on notes collected

– Report not overshadowed with political influences

– Case Study– Study an individual

– Intrinsic – have merit

– Instrumental – illuminates a case

– Collective – multiple cases studied then compared

– Critical– Advocates for marginalized groups

– Studies inequality, repression, dominanceSource: Skye Gillinghamhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2UyJWwOWnA

Ethnographic Data Collection Methods

Field Work– Participant Observer

– Complete observer (covert/overt)

– Participant as observer

– Observer as participant

– Complete participant

– Interviews– Formal/informal

– Structured/semi-structured

– Retrospective

– Historical Analysis– Primary sources

– Secondary sources

– Films, Videos and Photographs

– Kinesics

– Proxemics

– Review of Documents (content analysis)

– Note Recording– Substantive filed notes

– Methodological information field notes

– Analytic field note

– Data sheets


Ethnography Data Analysis

– Organize data– Raw Data

– Code notes (theoretical and operational, Diagrams, maps and photos)

– code data (patterns, themes and general)

– Description, Analysis and Interpretation

– Evaluate relevance to topic/interestSource: http://www.tebtebba.org/index.php/all-resources/category/108-day-5?download=805:ethnographic-research-methods.

EXAMPLE OF ETHNOGRAPHY

STUDY

Exploring Cultural Connectedness in the Sustainability of Rural Community Tourism Development in Jamaica

Ernest Taylor, Marcella Daye Moya Kneafsey and Hazel Barret

Conventry University in United Kingdom

Aim and Goal of Study– Aim

– Was to explore connectedness of sustainable development by analyzing how horizontal and vertical linkages influences the locals way of life as well as their production of intangible and tangible culture inventions

– Goal

– Is the examination of the inhabitants culture in relation to their sense of place, identity and community development and how these inhabitants use their tangible and intangible culture to develop their community through tourism

Researchers’ Outline– Culture and History

– Culture connectedness

– Horizontal and Vertical Connectedness

– Tourism Connectedness

Researchers' Method– Two study sight (Seaford Town and Charles Town)

– Participants were chosen using a snowball sampling technique

– Participant Observer

– Interview– Semi-structured

– Principles of argumentations and reasoning (Alasuutaari 1995)

Researchers’ Data Analysis

– Description, analysis and interpretation

– Relevance to their goal

References – Ethnography. Retrieved from www.webpages.uidaho.edu/css310/images/Handouts%20and

%20PowerPoints/Ethnography%20and%20HC.ppt on October 19, 2016

– Geertz, C. (1973). Thick Description: Toward an Interpretive Theory of Culture

– Prill-Brett, J. Qualitative Research Methods – Ethnographic Research Methods. Lecture notes in the College of Social Sciences at the University of Philippines Baguio. Retrieved from www.tebtebba.org/index.php/all-resources/category/108-day-5?download+805:ethnography-research-method on October 19, 2016

– Principles of Ethnographic Research. Retrieved from www.slideshare.net/rhydave24/ethnographic-reserch-7659486 on October 19, 2016

– Taylor, E., Daye, M., Kneafsey, M. and Barrrett, H. (2014). Exploring Cultural Connectedness in the Sustainability of Rural Community Tourism Development in Jamaica. PASOS, Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural, 12 No 3. Special Issue May 2014. ISSN:1695-7121

– Vermeulen, H. F., (2008). Early History of Ethnography and Ethnolog in the German Enlightenment: Anthropological Discourse in Europe and Asia, 1710-1808. Leiden: Privately published

Education

Ethnography and community development