Ethnography and Participant Observation Flashcards

1
Q

What does the participant observation protocol consist of?

A
  1. Organisation of the space for the activity/practice
  2. Artefacts used for the activity and how they’re used
  3. Actors: people involved
  4. Time management for the activities (e.g., if it depends on external factors, such as weather, season, time of day)
  5. Activities

-> Describe what you see and hear

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2
Q

What characterises the method of ethnography?

A
  • Understanding from subjects’ point of view
  • Immersion for long period of time
    -> discover patterns, structures and their evolution
  • What people say and do
  • Holistic
  • Open-minded approach, inductive
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3
Q

What makes the method of ethnography holistic?

A

You’re looking at how elements of the community are connected, and the specific culture

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4
Q

What characterises ethnography as a genre?

A

Style and form of presenting research findings
- books, films, graphic novels
- storytelling
- reflexive

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5
Q

What are the key elements in gaining access to a society?

A
  • Be prepared: framing the research
  • Learn the language
  • Gatekeepers (often someone in a position of power in the group of interest)
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6
Q

What does “doing ethnography” refer to?

A
  • Becoming embedded
  • Building rapport, relationships
  • Connecting with key informants: they facilitate the fieldwork
  • Having flexibility, contingency: there’s uncertainty
  • Talking to people and visiting relevant locations
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7
Q

What characterises participant observation?

A
  • Participating in the lives and activities of research participants, observing what happens
  • Hanging out, being there: beyond gaining access
  • Things can happen when unexpected
  • Negotiating your presence to be accepted in the group and gain insight
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8
Q

What are the levels of participant observation?

A
  1. Full participant - “going native”
  2. Observing participant
  3. Participatory observer
  4. Interacting observer
  5. Observer
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9
Q

What are the limits of participation in the field?

A
  • When it’s not allowed
  • Personal limits
  • Disagreement: are you on the same page with the subjects
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10
Q

How do you manage leaving the field of your research?

A
  1. Set boundaries: anthropology is at home, out of fieldwork

-> mention when your research ends

  1. Honor agreements and commitments
    - what is interesting for them and rewarding for you
  2. Don’t disappear
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