COMM 2002 Lecture Notes - Ethnography, Research Question

• School: Carleton University
• Department: Communication Studies
• Course: COMM 2002
• Professor: Heather Pyman

Document Summary

When is ethnography appropriate: research question dictates the type of method. If the rq requires an in-depth understanding of the social context ethnography is an important method: allows an understanding of social reality from a participants perspective. Research question examples: age: communication between students and faculty in oliver"s, use of communication devices at the gym, clothing change with the season change, gender: interaction with groups in the atrium. Becoming an ethnographer: research question as a general guide, access to the setting open/closed gatekeepers-key informants and sponsors mal, role, complete observer, observer as participant, participant as observer, complete participant. Gender can play a role in the kind of relationship you are going to have with your participants (i. e. old men thinking of you as a daughter if a young female) Need to have a sense of role: sex. Close relationship with participants leading to physical relationships: violence. Illegal groups being studied (i. e. motorcycle gangs threatening violence and study being cancelled)