Transcript Ethnography, Phenomenology and Ethnomethodology

Ethnography and Phenomenology
. . . and a little Ethnomethodology
Dangerous Minds Mission
Ethnography . . .
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is the study and description of a social or
cultural group
involves first-hand, face-to-face experience in
the everyday lives of the people being studied
is also used to refer to the written product
is used to explore and describe “What is
going on here?”
Assumptions
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There are multiple realities
People are viewed as “meaning-makers” and
the emphasis is on how people interpret and
construct their cultural worlds”
Society and culture can only be studied from
the inside; the natural states
Doing Ethnography . . .
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What is the problem or topic of interest?
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the driving force behind the research endeavor
Consult secondary sources
Identify a naturally occurring setting
Sampling
Relationships
Doing ethnography. . .
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Data collection through participant
observation, interviews, document review
Field notes, audio and visual recordings
Data analysis
Report writing
Verification
Critical ethnography . . .
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goes beyond description to empowering those
who are being researched
involves directly with and for oppressed
groups
While there is a wide diversity of
approaches to ethnographic research,
they share a fundamental commitment
to developing a deep understanding
through participant observation.
Critiques
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Ethnography does not have the objectivity and
validity of the “harder” sciences
Time consuming
Role of participant observer: Native vs. Stranger
Interpretation through the lens/standpoint of the
ethnographer
Ethnography addresses the richness and complexity
of social life and provides depth of description
Cultures are studied in their natural states (rather than
in contrived experimental scenarios, surveys, etc.)
Credibility and authenticity . . .
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Rigorous data collection
Making the researcher’s presence known
The use of multiple perspectives
Verification of the accuracy of the account
Reflexivity
Explicitly reporting on the researcher perspectives,
values, and beliefs
Contextualizing observations and providing in depth
descriptions