SCMA*2040 Lecture Notes - Lecture 7: Ethnography
Document Summary
Ethnography: systematic study of people and cultures, researchers interact with the people they are studying, listening to what they say in conversation and asking them questions. Most important and difficult step in ethnography is gaining access to the social setting one wants to research. How to gain access depends on several things, one of which is whether the setting. Is relatively open (public) or closed (private or restricted) Ease the access problem by assuming a covert role: not to disclose that you are a researcher. The open versus closed setting distinction is not hard and fast. The overt versus convert distinction can vary from context to context even within the same research project. The preferred choice is an overt role, mainly because the reasons have to do with practicality and ethical considerations. The researcher may employ several criteria, depending on the research area of interest.
