Ethnography and Participant Observation Flashcards
What does the participant observation protocol consist of?
- Organisation of the space for the activity/practice
- Artefacts used for the activity and how they’re used
- Actors: people involved
- Time management for the activities (e.g., if it depends on external factors, such as weather, season, time of day)
- Activities
-> Describe what you see and hear
What characterises the method of ethnography?
- 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
What makes the method of ethnography holistic?
You’re looking at how elements of the community are connected, and the specific culture
What characterises ethnography as a genre?
Style and form of presenting research findings
- books, films, graphic novels
- storytelling
- reflexive
What are the key elements in gaining access to a society?
- Be prepared: framing the research
- Learn the language
- Gatekeepers (often someone in a position of power in the group of interest)
What does “doing ethnography” refer to?
- 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
What characterises participant observation?
- 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
What are the levels of participant observation?
- Full participant - “going native”
- Observing participant
- Participatory observer
- Interacting observer
- Observer
What are the limits of participation in the field?
- When it’s not allowed
- Personal limits
- Disagreement: are you on the same page with the subjects
How do you manage leaving the field of your research?
- Set boundaries: anthropology is at home, out of fieldwork
-> mention when your research ends
- Honor agreements and commitments
- what is interesting for them and rewarding for you - Don’t disappear