Ethnographic research
- A qualitative description of the human social condition,based on fieldwork andobservation. [Jon Kolko, SCAD]
- Ethnography literally means 'a portrait of a people'. An ethnography is a written description of a particular culture-the customs, beliefs, and behavior-based on information collected through fieldwork. [Marvin Harris and Orna Johnson, 2000]
- Ethnography is the study of cultures. Ethnographic researchers work ’in the field‘, in the culture which they are studying. As a research method, ethnography is used in many disciplines, among them anthropology, political and social studies, education, and design.
From above, it could define that ethnographic has these important parts:
- Based on fieldwork
- Contextual/Social condition (Not only the research on person, many more living environment, customs and hehavior)
- Qualitative Description (Different from the quantitative study, the research is not to generate a sub-quantitative reporting and obtain statistical results. Ethnographic Research focus on summary and description of the characteristics in the survey)
- A qualitative description of the human social condition,based on fieldwork andobservation. [Jon Kolko, SCAD]
- Ethnography literally means 'a portrait of a people'. An ethnography is a written description of a particular culture-the customs, beliefs, and behavior-based on information collected through fieldwork. [Marvin Harris and Orna Johnson, 2000]
- Ethnography is the study of cultures. Ethnographic researchers work ’in the field‘, in the culture which they are studying. As a research method, ethnography is used in many disciplines, among them anthropology, political and social studies, education, and design.
From above, it could define that ethnographic has these important parts:
- Based on fieldwork
- Contextual/Social condition (Not only the research on person, many more living environment, customs and hehavior)
- Qualitative Description (Different from the quantitative study, the research is not to generate a sub-quantitative reporting and obtain statistical results. Ethnographic Research focus on summary and description of the characteristics in the survey)
1.This diagram depicts the numerous tactics that can be employed to collect ethnographic research.
2.Ethnographers use snowball sampling to find participants, called informants, for their studies. Informants lead to others, who then lead to more, and so on. A broad sampling is necessary to provide the researcher with an accurate representation of the emic perspective of the group under study.
3.Ethnographers use a combination of research techniques to triangulate their research. This helps validate their findings.
http://archives.rockpaperink.com/content/article.php?id=1039
2.Ethnographers use snowball sampling to find participants, called informants, for their studies. Informants lead to others, who then lead to more, and so on. A broad sampling is necessary to provide the researcher with an accurate representation of the emic perspective of the group under study.
3.Ethnographers use a combination of research techniques to triangulate their research. This helps validate their findings.
http://archives.rockpaperink.com/content/article.php?id=1039
Mass observation is a classic example of research based on ethnographic principles conducted in Britain.
It was started in 1937 to document daily life:
"How little we know of our next door neighbour and his habits...Of conditions of life and thought in another class or another district, our ignorance is complete." (MO pamphlet,1937)
The two founders were Charles Madge a journalist and poet and Tom Harrison an anthropologist.
They described it as "an independent, scientific fact finding body".
MO used three main methods to conduct research:
-Diaries
Ordinary people were invited to keep a diary record of their lives and send in regular updates. Diaries were collated in MO and reports prepared-to indicate what people were thinking.
-Observers
Ordinary people were recruited to watch, listen and document all aspects of behaviour within their local environment.
Observers behaved a bit like spies using a stop watch and noting details down. (eg wages)
-Writers/artists
Poets writers and artists to complement the findings.eg
Photographer Humphrey Spender spent time in Bolton (which became known as Worktown) taking documentary photographs for MO.He spent about 20 weeks there in all as part of the team, working for free.
Ethnography has been very influential in social sciences and media related study.
- Eg in the early 1990's David Morley's work on television and audience and Silverstone and Hirsch's work on technology in domestic spaces both use an ethnographic model to study the specifics of media consumption.
- More recently theorists such as Christine Hine has suggested that virtual ethnography is possible and productive.
http://methodsofdiscovery.net/?q=node/19
- Eg in the early 1990's David Morley's work on television and audience and Silverstone and Hirsch's work on technology in domestic spaces both use an ethnographic model to study the specifics of media consumption.
- More recently theorists such as Christine Hine has suggested that virtual ethnography is possible and productive.
http://methodsofdiscovery.net/?q=node/19