Ethnography

Question 1

Define ethnography

Answer 1

The study of the way of life of a group of people and traditionally this has been done by living with the people and observing their daily lives

Question 2

Define observation

Answer 2

Involve watching a groups behaviour in their usual setting and they aim to see the world from the groups perspective,

Question 3

Three key considerations

Answer 3

1. Getting in, staying in, getting out
2. How involved should the researcher be?
3. How much information should the researcher give the ppt

Question 4

Define going native

Answer 4

Becoming so involved in the group that detachment and objectivity is lost

Question 5

Define overt observation

Answer 5

The researcher tells the group that they are observing their behaviour

Question 6

Advantages on overt observations

Answer 6

Addresses ethical issues
Easier to record data and use other methods
Can help you avoid going native ad its easier getting out

Question 7

Problems with overt

Answer 7

Low validity

Question 8

Getting in

Answer 8

• how easy is it to make initial contact
• how easy is it to access gatekeeper
• how easy is to be accepted

Question 9

Staying in

Answer 9

• Maintain group acceptance
• avoid going native

Question 10

Getting out

Answer 10

• how easy is it to leave group behind without damaging relationships
• easy to leave safely
• re enter normal world

Question 11

Covert observation

Answer 11

The researcher doesn’t tell the group that they are observing their behaviour

Question 12

Advantages of covert observation

Answer 12

• useful for hard to access groups
• gain acceptance easier
• avoids the observer effect improving validity

Question 13

Ptp observations

Answer 13

The researcher joins the group they are observing

Question 14

Advantages of ptp observation

Answer 14

• greater valid insight to gain verstehan
• useful for hard to access groups once identified gatekeeper

Question 15

Non ptp observations

Answer 15

The researcher observes the group without directly joining them

Question 16

Advantages of non participant observations

Answer 16

• Reduced observer effect
• objectivity and avoids going native
• easier to record data

Question 17

PERVERT of observations

Answer 17

P
- time to complete and analyse
- hard to record data
- hard to get in stay in and get out
E
- covert = deception/no consent/ no right to withdraw
- overt = guidelines are followed
- other issues can include illegal activity and harm
R
- low = time consuming/subjective interpretation/ 1 precise instance
V
- high = in-depth first hand experienced of socila behaviour in natural setting
- can be lowered by recording data later/observer effect/ going native
E
- Richards
- Humphrey’s
R
- low small sample size/ only one instance
T
- favoured by interpretive valid/qualitative
- critised by positive not reliable/ representative or objective

Question 18

Humphrey’s research

Answer 18

• gay subculture, homosexual activity of men in ninety public toilets
• adopted role of gay voyeur - gains satisfaction from observing others
• ptps unaware of being observed
• ptp/covert
• ethical issues
• practical = times
• low reliability = no structure

Question 19

Richards

Answer 19

• observed children playing in London primary schools, visited schools on a regular biases and openly videoed what happened in the playground / when investigating gender roles of children enacting roles
• nonptp and overt
• observer effect - low validity
• easy to access easy to leave
• high validity structured