Ethnography Summary Notes

Ethnography Discussion Overview

  • Different strands of ethnography discussed
  • Transition to applied and activist ethnography

Grounded Theory

  • Focuses on studying interactions involving multiple individuals rather than a single person.
  • Rarely is a complete absence of theory; use of precedent is crucial.
  • Grounded theory should demonstrate that existing theories are inadequate for the studied context.

Case Studies

  • Involves studying events, activities, or programs to derive general insights.
  • Sample a limited group for deeper understanding, not all individuals.
  • Can help visualize actionable outcomes from a smaller scale.

Research Problems by Approach

  • Narrative Research: Emphasizes storytelling from an emic (insider) perspective.
  • Phenomenology: Seeks to describe the essence of lived experiences.
  • Grounded Theory: Integrates theory with interlocutor views; claims to originality must be well-supported.
  • Case Study: Analyzes specific cases to provide comprehensive insight into broader contexts.

Forms of Data Collection

  • Narrative Research: Open-ended interviews; documents to corroborate stories.
  • Phenomenology: Primary interviews, observations, and documents; focus on essence of experiences.
  • Grounded Theory: Requires extensive consultations to validate emerging theories.
  • Case Study: Combines various sources from multiple informants for holistic views.

Data Analysis Strategies

  • Narrative Research: Restorying accounts, identifying themes, and creating timelines.
  • Phenomenology: Extracting significant statements and meaning units from experiences.
  • Case Studies: Focuses on themes across multiple informants and situations for richer analysis.

Case Study Definition

  • An in-depth exploration of an integrated social unit.
  • Emphasizes the need to study cases holistically, considering context and complexity.