Difference between revisions of "Informatics Research - Ethnography"
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Ethnography is the in-depth study of a group of individuals who share a common culture. Typically, the group is studied in their natural setting over a long period of time, often months or years, and the researcher becomes immersed in the daily activities of the group. The focus of ethnography is to study everyday behaviors, with the intent of identifying cultural norms, beliefs, social structures and other cultural patterns. | Ethnography is the in-depth study of a group of individuals who share a common culture. Typically, the group is studied in their natural setting over a long period of time, often months or years, and the researcher becomes immersed in the daily activities of the group. The focus of ethnography is to study everyday behaviors, with the intent of identifying cultural norms, beliefs, social structures and other cultural patterns. | ||
| − | History | + | History - |
Ethnography was first used in cultural anthropology, but now it is also used in informatics, psychology, sociology and education. Bronislaw Malinowski is credited with first formally defining “fieldwork”, which is the basis for ethnography, when he studied and lived with the inhabitants of the Trobriand Islands in 1915. Margaret Mead is another well-known ethnographer, who began her career in the 1920’s, while living with and studying the Samoans in the South Pacific. Much early ethnographic work in the United States was the result of researchers living with and studying Native American tribes. | Ethnography was first used in cultural anthropology, but now it is also used in informatics, psychology, sociology and education. Bronislaw Malinowski is credited with first formally defining “fieldwork”, which is the basis for ethnography, when he studied and lived with the inhabitants of the Trobriand Islands in 1915. Margaret Mead is another well-known ethnographer, who began her career in the 1920’s, while living with and studying the Samoans in the South Pacific. Much early ethnographic work in the United States was the result of researchers living with and studying Native American tribes. | ||
| − | Principal Use | + | Principal Use - |
Ethnography is useful for studying the complex behaviors of a particular culture. Site-based fieldwork is the basis of ethnographic study. The researcher must gain access to a culture, often through a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is part of the study culture and allows smooth entrance into the culture site. Initially the researcher mingles with everyone in the culture. Then the researcher identifies key informants who provide insight and facilitate contact with other useful people in the culture. The researcher takes extensive field notes and may use video and/or audio tape for collection of data. Sometimes artifacts and documents are collected. Patience and tolerance are necessary in order to perform meaningful ethnographic research. Data collection and analysis often occur simultaneously. Unlike other types of research, the final report of an ethnographic project is often a personal narrative, with the researcher taking on the role of a storyteller. They give the study culture “voice” and often use the study participants’ own words to tell the story. | Ethnography is useful for studying the complex behaviors of a particular culture. Site-based fieldwork is the basis of ethnographic study. The researcher must gain access to a culture, often through a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is part of the study culture and allows smooth entrance into the culture site. Initially the researcher mingles with everyone in the culture. Then the researcher identifies key informants who provide insight and facilitate contact with other useful people in the culture. The researcher takes extensive field notes and may use video and/or audio tape for collection of data. Sometimes artifacts and documents are collected. Patience and tolerance are necessary in order to perform meaningful ethnographic research. Data collection and analysis often occur simultaneously. Unlike other types of research, the final report of an ethnographic project is often a personal narrative, with the researcher taking on the role of a storyteller. They give the study culture “voice” and often use the study participants’ own words to tell the story. | ||
| − | Advantages | + | Advantages - |
The main advantage of ethnographic research is flexibility. The researcher can use a number of different methods to study a culture. If a researcher is experienced in cultural anthropology or ethnography, this flexibility is a big advantage. | The main advantage of ethnographic research is flexibility. The researcher can use a number of different methods to study a culture. If a researcher is experienced in cultural anthropology or ethnography, this flexibility is a big advantage. | ||
During the course of an ethnographic study, the researcher may engage in participant observation. This often results in the researcher transitioning from an outsider to an insider. Becoming an insider may reward the researcher with insight about the culture which could not otherwise be obtainable. | During the course of an ethnographic study, the researcher may engage in participant observation. This often results in the researcher transitioning from an outsider to an insider. Becoming an insider may reward the researcher with insight about the culture which could not otherwise be obtainable. | ||
| − | Shortcomings | + | Shortcomings - |
Because ethnography is so flexible in terms of research methodology, a novice in the field may have difficulty discerning unimportant details from valuable information. Experience in ethnography makes this shortcoming less of an issue. | Because ethnography is so flexible in terms of research methodology, a novice in the field may have difficulty discerning unimportant details from valuable information. Experience in ethnography makes this shortcoming less of an issue. | ||
If a researcher transitions from an outsider to an insider, there is the risk that the researcher will become emotionally involved and not be able to assess the situation accurately. If the researcher becomes so involved that he or she “goes native”, the researcher may not be able to complete the research project. | If a researcher transitions from an outsider to an insider, there is the risk that the researcher will become emotionally involved and not be able to assess the situation accurately. If the researcher becomes so involved that he or she “goes native”, the researcher may not be able to complete the research project. | ||
Ethnographers realize that it is almost impossible to analyze their data objectively. Some would consider this a shortcoming. However, Wolcott has suggested that a researcher should strive for rigorous subjectivity, which requires balance, completeness, fairness and sensitivity. Making judgments about the culture should be avoided. | Ethnographers realize that it is almost impossible to analyze their data objectively. Some would consider this a shortcoming. However, Wolcott has suggested that a researcher should strive for rigorous subjectivity, which requires balance, completeness, fairness and sensitivity. Making judgments about the culture should be avoided. | ||
| − | Examples in Informatics | + | Examples in Informatics - |
• Lehman, H.P. (1999) An Ethnographic, Controlled Study of the Use of a Computer-based Histology Atlas during a Laboratory Course. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 6: 38-52. | • Lehman, H.P. (1999) An Ethnographic, Controlled Study of the Use of a Computer-based Histology Atlas during a Laboratory Course. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 6: 38-52. | ||
• Greenhalgh, T. (2001) Computer assisted learning in undergraduate medical education. British Medical Journal 322: 40-44. | • Greenhalgh, T. (2001) Computer assisted learning in undergraduate medical education. British Medical Journal 322: 40-44. | ||
• Carroll, K. (2008) Reshaping ICU Ward Round Practices Using Video-Reflexive Ethnography. Qualitative Health Research 18:3: 380-390. | • Carroll, K. (2008) Reshaping ICU Ward Round Practices Using Video-Reflexive Ethnography. Qualitative Health Research 18:3: 380-390. | ||
| − | References | + | References - |
• Agar, M.H. (1980) The Professional Stranger: An Informal Introduction to Ethnography. San Diego, CA: Academic. | • Agar, M.H. (1980) The Professional Stranger: An Informal Introduction to Ethnography. San Diego, CA: Academic. | ||
• Leedy, P.D., Ormrod, J.E. (2005) Practical Research – Planning and Design. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. | • Leedy, P.D., Ormrod, J.E. (2005) Practical Research – Planning and Design. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. | ||
Revision as of 17:22, 4 March 2008
Qualitative Technique - Ethnography
Description -
Ethnography is the in-depth study of a group of individuals who share a common culture. Typically, the group is studied in their natural setting over a long period of time, often months or years, and the researcher becomes immersed in the daily activities of the group. The focus of ethnography is to study everyday behaviors, with the intent of identifying cultural norms, beliefs, social structures and other cultural patterns.
History -
Ethnography was first used in cultural anthropology, but now it is also used in informatics, psychology, sociology and education. Bronislaw Malinowski is credited with first formally defining “fieldwork”, which is the basis for ethnography, when he studied and lived with the inhabitants of the Trobriand Islands in 1915. Margaret Mead is another well-known ethnographer, who began her career in the 1920’s, while living with and studying the Samoans in the South Pacific. Much early ethnographic work in the United States was the result of researchers living with and studying Native American tribes.
Principal Use -
Ethnography is useful for studying the complex behaviors of a particular culture. Site-based fieldwork is the basis of ethnographic study. The researcher must gain access to a culture, often through a gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is part of the study culture and allows smooth entrance into the culture site. Initially the researcher mingles with everyone in the culture. Then the researcher identifies key informants who provide insight and facilitate contact with other useful people in the culture. The researcher takes extensive field notes and may use video and/or audio tape for collection of data. Sometimes artifacts and documents are collected. Patience and tolerance are necessary in order to perform meaningful ethnographic research. Data collection and analysis often occur simultaneously. Unlike other types of research, the final report of an ethnographic project is often a personal narrative, with the researcher taking on the role of a storyteller. They give the study culture “voice” and often use the study participants’ own words to tell the story.
Advantages -
The main advantage of ethnographic research is flexibility. The researcher can use a number of different methods to study a culture. If a researcher is experienced in cultural anthropology or ethnography, this flexibility is a big advantage.
During the course of an ethnographic study, the researcher may engage in participant observation. This often results in the researcher transitioning from an outsider to an insider. Becoming an insider may reward the researcher with insight about the culture which could not otherwise be obtainable.
Shortcomings -
Because ethnography is so flexible in terms of research methodology, a novice in the field may have difficulty discerning unimportant details from valuable information. Experience in ethnography makes this shortcoming less of an issue.
If a researcher transitions from an outsider to an insider, there is the risk that the researcher will become emotionally involved and not be able to assess the situation accurately. If the researcher becomes so involved that he or she “goes native”, the researcher may not be able to complete the research project.
Ethnographers realize that it is almost impossible to analyze their data objectively. Some would consider this a shortcoming. However, Wolcott has suggested that a researcher should strive for rigorous subjectivity, which requires balance, completeness, fairness and sensitivity. Making judgments about the culture should be avoided.
Examples in Informatics - • Lehman, H.P. (1999) An Ethnographic, Controlled Study of the Use of a Computer-based Histology Atlas during a Laboratory Course. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 6: 38-52. • Greenhalgh, T. (2001) Computer assisted learning in undergraduate medical education. British Medical Journal 322: 40-44. • Carroll, K. (2008) Reshaping ICU Ward Round Practices Using Video-Reflexive Ethnography. Qualitative Health Research 18:3: 380-390.
References - • Agar, M.H. (1980) The Professional Stranger: An Informal Introduction to Ethnography. San Diego, CA: Academic. • Leedy, P.D., Ormrod, J.E. (2005) Practical Research – Planning and Design. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. • Wolcott, H. (1994) Transforming Qualitative data. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Teresa Mason
