Ethnography and Observations

Question 1

How can ethnography and observation be seen to be similar?

Answer 1

They can be seen to overlap as they both call for ‘immersion’ in a group for an extended period of time and both observe behaviour, listen to what’s said and ask questions/ collect documents

Question 2

What is the definition of ethnography?

Answer 2

An approach/ style of research, not a method, a written account of culture aiming to under-stand cultures/ subcultures/ organisations, or groups

• ethnographers believe that cultures can be understood through observation and the descriptive account of this data
• helps us to understand misunderstood, misrepresented or hidden cultures/ groups

Question 3

What is participant observation?

Answer 3

Sometimes used interchangeably, sometimes considered a method within an ethnographic research approach

Question 4

What is the strong emphasis within ethnographic research?

Answer 4

Exploring the nature of a particular social phenomenon, rather than setting out to test hypotheses about it

Question 5

What can ethnography provide?

Answer 5

A detailed or ‘thick description’ (Geertz, 1073)