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ETHNOGRAPHY

What is ?

Ethnography is a type of qualitative research that involves immersing yourself in particular community

What is ethnography used for?

Today, ethnography is a common approach in various social science fields, not just anthropology. It is used not only to study distant or unfamiliar cultures, but also to study specific communities within the researcher’s own society

Different approaches to ethnographic research

There are a few key distinctions in ethnography which help to inform the researcher’s approach: open vs. closed settings, overt vs. covert ethnography, and active vs. passive observation. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of ethnography

. The main advantage of ethnography is that it gives the researcher direct access to the culture and practices of a group

. By becoming immersed in a social environment, you may have access to more authentic information

Disadvantages of ethnography

- Ethnography is a time-consuming method. To embed yourself in the setting and gather enough observations

- There are often also ethical considerations to consider: for example, about how your role is disclosed to members of the group, or about observing and reporting sensitive information.