Qualitative Data Analysis: An introduction Carol Grbich Chapter 4: Critical Ethnography

Critical Ethnography A critical ethnography should meet the following criteria: Power and oppression must be key issues; Emancipation and social transformation of inequality and oppression suffered by participants needs liberating action; Identification of the author/researcher and how are they are influencing the data collection, design, analysis and interpretation must be addressed. an abstract level of understanding of the political, economic and social aspects of the culture must be gained through critical theory interpretation

Thematic analysis Purpose: data reduction to identify major and minor themes Process options: Block and file approach (intact data) Conceptual mapping (broad overview) Segmentation / fragmentation (line by line)

5 stages of a critical ethnography (Carspeckan, 1996) Monological data 1. Build a critically reflective primary record of thick description -to unobtrusively collect observational data through note taking, audio and videotaping of events, behaviours and rituals. 2. Undertake preliminary reconstructive analysis) to identify power location, role relations, meanings and cultural values as well as validity;

5 stages of a critical ethnography (Carspeckan, 1996) cont. Dialogical data 3. Use interviews and focus groups to collect data in collaboration with participants 4. Examine data or system relations and these findings are link to wider social, political and economic contexts. 5. Interpret findings in relation to general theories of society, to explain findings in stages 1-4 and to challenge theories’ ( adapted from Carspecken, 1996:172)

Criticisms of Carspeckan’s approach The Birmingham approach, with its emphasis on political and social activism, has become depoliticised in transfer to the American context Carspeckan’s theoretical underpinnings are selective and eclectic resulting in a grab bag of philosophically derived terminology, The ‘critical’ nature of interpretation (stages 4 and 5) appears to have minimal links with interpretive explanations from actual critical theorists Researcher neutrality of stage 1, involving reflection of personal values and biases, does not appear to inform the research in any critical way The lack of overt links to the ethnographic tradition makes the term critical ethnography misleading.

Guidelines for a critical ethnography Construct your question around the issue of power – how it is manifest, what structures influence situations and how are unequal situations maintained by both structures and participants?. Note your power relations with participants Practice reflexivity of your own frames and interpretation Be transparent regarding how these are impacting on data collection and interpretation. Collect multiple data sources from both the etic (outsider) and emic (insider) positions. Seek diversity and counter stories to illuminate the holistic view

General guidelines for a critical ethnography (cont ) Data analysis - preliminary data and thematic analysis. Explore interpretive explanations through links between local culture and the political, social, economic and global institutions Use narratives, dramatic dialogues, multiple voices, layered mixed data and participant generated visual and oral/aural data Critically assess the diversities and complexities of the locations and workings of power relations in your chosen settings Outcomes: recommended strategies or personal/participant action for empowerment and social justice