Week 7 - Ethnography Flashcards
What does the term ‘ethnography’ literally mean?
‘Writing about a people’ or ‘portrait of people’
Derived from the Greek words ‘ethnos’ (people) and ‘graphia’ (writing).
What are the three main points that define ethnography?
- The study of social interactions within cultures, organizations, or groups.
- Attempts to document the culture from the perspective of the ‘insiders’.
- Seeks to observe and explain interactions in ‘ordinary’ settings without interrupting those interactions.
List the five characteristics of ethnography.
- Exploratory
- Conducted in a ‘natural’ setting
- Aimed at discovering a local’s point of view
- Gathers data primarily through observation and conversations
- Uses unstructured data collection
Who is credited with the earliest concept of ethnography?
Bronislaw Malinowski
He spent three years on the Trobriand Islands and developed modern fieldwork methodology.
What are the three types of data collected by Malinowski?
- Detailed descriptions of day-to-day activities
- Documented stories, myths, narratives, etc.
- Created synoptic charts
What is one purpose of conducting ethnography?
To gain a deep understanding of people and their culture
It also aims to put behaviors, beliefs, and interactions into context.
When is it appropriate to use ethnography? List one situation.
To examine social interactions
Other situations include understanding roles of groups or exploring new cultures.
What is the difference between typical ethnography and mini-ethnography?
Typical ethnography involves months or years of observation, while mini-ethnography involves days or weeks of observation.
Define emic perspective in ethnography.
To understand the way the members of a given culture perceive their world.
Define etic perspective in ethnography.
To understand how non-members (outsiders) perceive and interpret the behaviors and phenomena of a given culture.
True or False: Ethnography can produce in-depth findings.
True
What are some limitations of ethnography? List two.
- Researcher bias
- Qualitative data only
Other limitations include requiring significant time and being non-replicable.
What skills are required for conducting ethnography? Name one.
Interpretative agility
Other skills include familiarity with social settings, respect for culture, and good interpersonal skills.
What is the due date for the ethnography assignment?
March 21, 2025
Fill in the blank: Ethnography is aimed at discovering a local’s point of view, also known as _______.
[insider perspectives]
What is one example of a micro-ethnography?
Study of undergraduate students at UofT
Micro-ethnography focuses on narrowly-defined cultural groupings.
What are some inappropriate sites for the ethnography assignment?
To be determined by TA approval
Students must receive approval for their research location.
