© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute Research Method: Ethnography

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute2 Learning Outcomes 1.Analyze the philosophical traditions that support ethnography. 2.Analyze general purpose, assumptions and methods for ethnography. 3.Formulate a research strategy for a ethnography in a team exercise. 4.Reflect on benefits and limitations of ethnography. 5.Assess potential value of using this methodology for dissertation research.

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute3 Research Traditions Orientations to Research Ontology (nature of reality) Epistemology (knowledge) Postpositivist Research (Quantitative) Fixed, stable, observable, measurable Gained through scientific and experimental research. Knowledge is objective and quantifiable. Interpretive Research (Qualitative, phenomenology, ethnography, case study, grounded theory) Multiple realities that are socially constructed by individuals. Gained through understanding the meaning of the process/experience. Critical Research (Critical theory, feminist theory) Multiple realities that are based on socioeconomic, political, and cultural basis. Knowledge is generated through ideological critiques of power, privilege, and oppression. Carr, W., & Kemmis, S. (1986). Becoming Critical: Education, knowledge and action research. London: Falmer Press

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute4 Research Traditions Orientations to Research (Continues Axiological (Role of values) Methodological (Research strategies) Post-Positivist Research (Quantitative) Emphasis is on the objective researcher, value freeDescriptive (correlational) and experimental research Interpretive Research (Qualitative, phenomenology, ethnography, case study, grounded theory) Researcher’s subjective values, intuition, and biases are important Qualitative, phenomenology, ethnography, case study, grounded theory Critical Research (Critical theory, feminist theory) Researchers need to acknowledge their values and biases Both quantitative and qualitative methods

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute5 Ethnography: A Brief History Boas Malinowski Radcliffe-Brown Mead Turkle

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute6 Types of Ethnography Symbolic Interactionism Cultural and Cognitive Anthropology Feminism Critical Theory Educational Ethnography

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute7 Characteristics of Ethnography Studies patterns of behavior, customs and ways of life. Involves prolonged involvement with a group or culture. Engages researcher in the day-to-day life of the studies group or culture.

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute8 Characteristics of Ethnography Building community in a virtual classroom: Construction of a classroom culture in a postsecondary distance education class. (Bielman, 2001)

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute9 Ethnographic Studies: An Interactive Activity Provide 3-5 minutes for learners to identify possible opportunities for ethnography within their research interests. Gather ethnographic studies on a flip chart.

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute10 Data Gathering for Ethnography Participant observations Field Notes Interviews

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute11 Data Gathering for Ethnography Data GatheringData AnalysisData Interpretation & Authoring Observations Interview

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute12 Field Notes: Observation Do you want to think about the gum drops and toothpick activity? Two learners at each table construct something out of toothpick and gumdrops in silence. Three or four others at the table take field notes. This takes about five minutes. Then we have a good discussion of how it felt to be observed and how it felt to be observing. Many good ideas on how to observe and write are discussed. Good comparisons are made when looking at how other took notes of the same event. This all takes about 30 minutes….always a great activity.

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute13 Data Analysis for Ethnography Content Analysis Coding and Thematic Analysis Charting the Data Reliability and Validity

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute14 Data Analysis for Ethnography Data GatheringData AnalysisData Interpretation & Authoring Observations Interview

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute15 Reporting Ethnographic Studies Story-telling style Rich, thick narrative Long, complex narratives

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute16 Data Interpretation for Ethnography Data GatheringData AnalysisData Interpretation & Authoring Observations Interview

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute17 Benefits and Limitations of Ethnography Offers a story-like study of rituals and cultures in real time. Provides insights of key informants. Requires an intensive understanding of ethnography and anthropology Requires extensive data collection Cautions against bias and research assumptions.

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute18 Potential value of using this methodology for dissertation research Table Talk: Identify three reasons why ethnography may have value in your dissertation research. Offer these reasons in final call-out discussion.

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute19 Resources Goebert, B. & Rosenthal, H. (2001). Beyond listening: Learning the secret language of focus groups. San Francisco, CA:John Wiley & Sons; ISBN: Krueger, R. A. & Casey, M. A. (2000). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage Publications; ISBN: Morgan, D. L. (1997). Focus groups as qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA:Sage Publications; ISBN:

© 2004 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute20 Resources Denzin, N. K. (1997). Interpretive ethnography: Ethnographic practices for the 21st century. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Handwerker, W. P. (2002). Quick ethnography. Lanham, MD:Altamira Press. Schensul, J. J. & LeCompte, M. D. (1999). Designing and conducting ethnographic research. Lanham, MD:Altamira Press.