ethnographic research

Question 1

Defintion

Answer 1

Ethnography within sociological research is generally regarded as the gathering of data by participating in the culture of a social group and using a range of methods to collect evidence, often including directly watching and recording the behaviour of people, usually, but not exclusively, in their everyday lives and in natural settings. Interviews and documentary analysis are also associated with ethnographic research.

Question 2

Alexander - The Asian gang

Answer 2

Used ethnographic research based on forming relationships with respondents using interviews and partly observations to investigate the stereotype of young Asian men as violent and criminal. She investigated young Asians aged 16-22 at the Stoneleigh asian youth organisation (SAYO)
Gained rapport and had consent after 18 months of spending time with them- ethics
Rapport was increased as it was in their own homes

Question 3

Skeggs

Answer 3

Skeggs used ethnographic research for the feminist view that all understandings are relative. She used a longitudinal study which lasted for 12 years (living in the community), 3 of which were participant observation with a sample of 83 white women from Lancashire to research their lives and how women create a sense of self, and the part social class and a search for respectability plays in female working class identity. To support her observations she used biographies of the women, information on the economy and interviews with the women and their parents/friends/teachers. - Objectivity (reflexivity)