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ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH: AN OVERVIEW

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International Journal of Advance and Innovative Research
ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 6, Issue 2 (VIII): April - June, 2019 Part - 6

ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH: AN OVERVIEW

Prof. Hemant Lata Sharma1 and Chiranjit Sarkar2

Professor and Research Scholar2, Department of Education, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak
1

ABSTRACT
The one of the major approaches of the Qualitative Research is Ethnography, sometimes known as Cultural
Anthropology or sometimes called as Naturalistic Enquiry. Its disciplinary origin is Anthropology. Ethnography
deals with the discovery and description of culture of a group or group of individual. As the concept of culture
is the central theme of Ethnography Research; that’s why the question raised from this point of view is that
what the Cultural characteristics of a group of individuals are? Here Culture means the system of norms and
standards that a society develops over the courses of many generations. Ethnography research helps to search
very complicated or complex deign challenges. A tremendous and effective researcher is needed when he or she
is viewing or observing or interacting with target population in their real-life situation. Ethnography Research
is a one of the most important qualitative research where researcher observe or interact with the target
population and researcher plays an important role to obtain useful cultural information that’s why
Ethnography research is known as cultural ethnography or cultural anthropology. This kind of research is a
part of social science research. We know there are several forms of Ethnography research. As for example,
confessional Ethnography research, life history Ethnography research, feminist Ethnography research, realist
Ethnography research, critical Ethnography research etc. Out of the several form of Ethnography research, the
two most common and popular form of Ethnography research are “Realist Ethnography Research” and
“Critical Ethnography Research”. The “Realist EthnographyResearch” is sometimes known as traditional
Ethnography research whereas the critical Ethnography research is concerned with those group or group of
individuals who are marginalized in society. The toughest activity of Ethnography research is the researcher
should play as a member of the target population and spent several months even if several years with target
population or group. Therefore, Ethnography research not only a qualitative research but also it is a
longitudinal research.

INTRODUCTION
The one of the best major approaches of Qualitative Research is Ethnography, sometimes known as Cultural
Anthropology or sometimes called as Naturalistic Enquiry. Its disciplinary origin is Anthropology. Ethnography
deals with the discovery and description of culture of a group. As the concept of culture is the central theme of
Ethnography Research. That’s why the question raised from this point of view is that what the Cultural
characteristics of a group of individuals are? Here, Culture means the system of norms and standards that a
society develops over the courses of many generations. Culture is as people do, a combination of various types
of knowledge, believe, custom, art, moral ,laws, habit, attitude of mind, the pattern of human activity, literature,
language, religion, religious activity, transmitted from person to person, transmitted from generation to
generation, consist of everything we think, consist of all efforts and adjustment, gratifying quality, continuous
process, accumulative, inter connected with each other, changing and dynamic, vary from one society to other
society etc. That’s why culture and society are one and same. Ethnography research helps to search very
complicated or complex deign challenges. A tremendous and effective researcher is needed when he or she is
viewing or observing or interacting with target population in their real-life situation. Ethnography Research is a
one of the most important qualitative research where researcher observe or interact with the target population
and researcher plays an important role to obtain useful cultural information that’s why Ethnography research is
known as cultural ethnography or cultural anthropology. This kind of research is a part of social science
research. We know there are several forms of Ethnography research. As for example confessional Ethnography
research, life history Ethnography research, feminist Ethnography research, realist Ethnography research,
critical Ethnography research etc. Out of the several form of Ethnography research, the two most common and
popular form of Ethnography research are “Realist Ethnography Research” and “Critical Ethnography
Research”. The “Realist Ethnography Research” is sometimes known as traditional Ethnography research
whereas the “Critical Ethnography Research” is concerned with those group or group of individuals who are
marginalized in society. The toughest activity of Ethnography research is the researcher should play as a
member of the target population and spent several months’ even if several years with target population or group.
Therefore, Ethnography research not only a qualitative research but also it is a longitudinal research.
Ethnography research is usually a systematic research or study of the group and their culture. The characteristics
of Ethnography research are to explain the “cultural phenomena” where the ethnographic researcher accurately
observes the society from the viewpoint of the subject. Its aim is to observe a situation which is unique, which is
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ISSN 2394 - 7780
Volume 6, Issue 2 (VIII): April - June, 2019 Part - 6

original, and which is natural. The names of some eminent contributor of Ethnography research are E. B. Tylor,
Lewis H. Morgan, Franz Boas, Bronislaw Malinowski, Ruth Benedict and Margaret Mead etc.
FORMS OF THE ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH
There are several forms of Ethnography research. As for example confessional Ethnography research, life
history Ethnography research, feminist Ethnography research, realist Ethnography research, critical
Ethnography research and so one. Out of the several forms of Ethnography research, the two most common and
popular form of Ethnography research are-
I. Realist Ethnography Research
II. Critical Ethnography Research.
I. The Realist Ethnography research is sometimes known as traditional Ethnography research. It is used by
cultural anthropologist. It is designed by Van Maamen. The main consideration of this type of research is
individual out of the group that’s why this kind of research is known as objective cum traditional cultural
Ethnography study.
II. Whereas the Critical Ethnography research is concerned with those group or group of individuals who are
marginalized in society. On the other side critical Ethnography researcher is critical cum political because he
takes a stand of opposition to disadvantage section of our society with special reference to schedule cast and
schedule tribe. We know very well that according to national policy on education 1986 the schedule cast and
schedule tribe section are considered as one of the chief disadvantage section in India. As the name suggests
critical Ethnography research the researcher faces lots of critical situation when researcher interacts with
tribe and tribal community and obtained useful information. Here researcher should have versatility of
intellect to formulate inductive hypothesis. It means inductive hypothesis is considering making a
relationship between observed situation and real situation. During the research the researcher can modify or
alter inductive hypothesis according to the situation or according to the researcher’s opinion. The toughest
activity of Ethnography research is the researcher should play as a member of the target population and spent
several months even if several years with target population or group. Therefore, Ethnography research is not
only a qualitative research but also it is a longitudinal research.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH
There are several characteristics of the Ethnography Research out of which some important characteristics are
described below-
I. Ethnography researcher or ethnographer generally spent year or more in order to study about cultural
aspect of a group or a society.
II. The Ethnography research is considered as popular because it is a “fully immersive live and work
approach”.
III. We often argue that if “immersive live and work” Ethnography research is held on require within the
field of “User-Centered Design” (UCD) or “User Driven Development” (UDD) in which researcher is
given “intensive attention” at each stage of the design process.
IV. Short Ethnography research may be helpful for ‘user centered design project’.
V. Ethnography research involves with individual method which are descriptive survey, interview,
interaction, observation specially participant observation.
VI. It relates intensive and extensive data collection technique on many observable variables over a long
period of time in a Naturalistic situation. The observable variables are naturally occurs and studied where
they naturally occur and as they occur without any control of the Researcher on the environmental and
experimental conditions.
VII. Ethnography study uses Participant Observation as the Primary Data collection technique along with the
Interviews with the members of Group or community. Here Participant Observation may extend form one
month to a year depending upon the nature of problem.
VIII. The Emic perspective- The Emic perspective means that Ethnography Researchers focuses how the
members of the culture under study perceive their culture.
IX. The Etic perspective- The Etic perspective means that the Ethnographer approaches some outsides so as
to know how they perceive, and analysis various behaviors or phenomena related with the culture under
study.
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Volume 6, Issue 2 (VIII): April - June, 2019 Part - 6

X. The symbols- The Symbols refer to any material such as Art, Architecture,Technology, Clothing etc. the
Ethnography Researcher uses these symbols in understanding Cultural behavior.
XI. Tacit knowledge- It is connected with the deep and hidden information about Cultural benefits and
assumptions. But this knowledge is never formally and informally discussed with the informants; the
Researcher infers this information and uses it individually.
XII. The Hypothesis- Hypothesis in Ethnography Research emerge from qualitative data in the hands of the
Researcher. They are not formulated before. If the Hypothesis emerges during the data collection, they
are dropped at any stage of the study and new hypotheses are framed.
XIII. Action and Interaction within the Organization- In Ethnography studies the researcher uses nature,
action and interactions of the member of origination in the collection and analysis of the data based on
observations.
STEPS OF THE ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH
I. The review of related literature helps the researcher to define the problem because selection or
identification of a problem is the first step of a research.
II. After reviewing the related literature Researcher has chosen a broad field which he will conduct the study.
For example, Art and Culture of “Santhal” Tribes in the State of West Bengal.
III. After selecting the broad area the researcher should narrow it down to a highly specific research problem.
For example, the researcher should select a specific district like Bankura District in West Bengal.
IV. Formulation of a hypothesis on the basis of the objective of the research is another crucial step to conduct
Ethnography research. It may be noted that Ethnography research is a purely qualitative research that’s
why the researcher constitute “inductive” hypothesis which may vary or modify according to the
circumstances or need for environment/situation.
V. After that one of the important step is to select population. Population refers to any collection of specified
groups. It is always properly defined. Here researcher’s population is a block of the district of the West
Bengal.
I. After selecting a population and listing all the units the researcher makes a sample frame out of the
population and properties of the population. Here sample frame will be the specific Block of Bankura
District of the state of west Bengal.
II. Now the researcher observes and interacts with the sample from the sampling frame. Here sample will be
the “Santhal Tribal Members” of the Specific Block of Bankura District of the State of West Bengal.
III. Here researcher uses generally participant observation to collect unique data (cultural aspects of the
“Santhal” Tribe) from the sample frame.
IV. Here the researcher uses unique tools and techniques for conducting Ethnography Research. For example,
Interview, Open Ended Questionnaire, Opinionnaire, Audio tape, Video tape, Schedule, Rating Scale etc.
V. After that the researcher wants to analyze data.
VI. Interpretation and generalization.
VII. Conclusion and findings.
METHOD & PROCEDURE OF THE ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH
Observation by the researcher is to the target audiences in their real-life environment. The data (mainly
descriptive in nature or verbal or symbolic materials) obtained through intensive observation or open- ended
interaction or unstructured interview or questionnaires or opinionnaires. Generally, Ethnography research
involves with qualitative data which are detailed, dense descriptions, inquires in depth etc. such data are based
on inductive approach. Intensive observation helps to get ‘first-hand information’ to the Ethnography researcher
about some cultural events in-depth and detailed manner. Data obtained through intensive and participant
observation generally include-
I. Detailed and immersive description.
II. Develop empathic understanding.
III. Open and flexible.
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IV. it refers to the extensive field work where gathering of data is obtain through open ended interaction, direct
interview, symbols and coadding, participant observation etc.
After that the Ethnography researcher assumes that all cases like people of the community or group of
individuals under study are special and unique character and research uses Purposeful Sampling method in
which all samples are selected purposefully. This type of research is mainly information rich and illuminative.
Next step will be Data analysis procedures which involve cultural aspect, cultural behaviour and meaning of
human activity. This research mainly confined to verbal expression but its required then statistical test and
numerical aptitude play a secondary role. Data gathering, data analysis and data interpretation play an important
role in the study of Ethnography research. Ethnography research locates to describing the culture of a group or
group of individuals in very intensive detailed and complex manner. The Ethnography researcher observes
mental activities, knowledge, reading, custom, marriage, clothing, fooding and other cultural activities. These
cultural aspects are express to the researcher in their real-life situation. In Ethnography research the researcher
wants to gather available information, normal and abnormal information, what they say and how they work.
Cultural ethnographer or ethnographer today gets a high value on doing Ethnography study.
NATURE OF DATA INVOLVE AND TOOLS & TECHNIQUES USED IN ETHNOGRAPHY
The data analysis approach used in an Ethnography study aims at Holistic Description of the Cultural
characteristics of a group of people. Observation is the main technique used to gather information in respect of
Cultural features such as Language, Marriage, Family life, Child Rearing Practice, Social Relation, Rule of
Conduct, Religious Beliefs and practices in these studies. Ethnography research generally deals with empirical
data on a group of individual and their culture. It is an important branch of social science as well as humanities.
This kind of research generally require a ‘long term commitment’ that is the researcher eagers to interact with
people over an extended period of time. The extended period of time may vary from several week through a
year or more. “Multiple methods of data collection” may be involve to give a healthy relationship which allow
more personal and intensive information about the group or community. Ethnography research can include
observation specially participant observation, field description, open ended questionnaire, interview and
descriptive survey. Kinship chart are commonly used to “discover logical pattern and social structure in non-
western society.” Ethnography research rely on bottom up approach or top down approach, researcher’s
experience, participation and interaction with the process to investigate the cultural phenomena.
SOME TOPICS IN EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATED TO ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH
Ethnography research is not only comprehensive today but also in the early stages it may be known as “user
centered design project”. This is because Ethnography research highly focuses to develop and understanding of
the (“design process”). Therefore, this type of research deals with cultural studies at the staring of a project in
order to support “future design decision”. For example: In the educational contexts, Ethnography studies have
been used in the USA to investigate such problems as: student leadership roles in urban racial dominated high
school, pupil-teacher relationships in suburban high school, social relationships in a class of emotionally
disturbed children, etc. students on the changes in attitudes and behavior in drug abuse rehabilitation centers;
social class structure in inclusive schools; staff-parent interactions in non-formal education center; differences
in physical processes of adolescent growth between tribal and non-tribal girls; student culture in an IIT;
bilingual programmed in a CBSE school, etc. using Ethnography methodology could be undertaken in the
Indian context.
MERITS OF THE ETHNOGRAPHY RESEARCH
The merits of the Ethnography research are as below-
I. One of the chief advantages involve with Ethnography Research is that it can help to identify and analyze
unexpected issues.
II. An Ethnography Researcher must have mental dispositions to develop a theoretical and coding study at a
high risk.
III. Detailed and thic description, naturalistic inquiry, primary data collection technique, external and internal
criticism, in depth data collection technique, objective pole on intentionality, subjective pole on
intentionality, participant observation, theory development rather than theory testing, describe cultural
phenomena in a naturalistic inquiry etc involve and inter related as well as interdependent to the study of
Ethnography research.
IV. According to Best and khan (2002, pp197) the strength of Ethnography Research lies in the observation
of Natural behavior in a Real- life settings, free from the constrains of more conventional Research
procedure.
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V. Ethnography research depends upon researcher experience as compared to the other research can do so.
VI. Thinking, feeling, sensation, perception and intuition, understanding, analysis, organization, comparison,
classification, verification and generalization involves with Ethnography research.
VII. The subject matter of ethnography especially critical Ethnography research is the tribal community and
primitive tribe who are marginalized from our elite social civilization.
Demerits of Ethnography Research
The demerits or limitations of the Ethnography Research are as below-
I. One of the main limitations or criticisms leveled at Ethnography research istime taking.
II. Ethnography research is highly subjective.
III. Deep, scholar and expert researcher is needed to conduct the Ethnography study.
IV. Sensitivity that is sense of the researcher is required to explore the Ethnography research.
V. Long time field investment is required for Ethnography research. Sometimes it may not be possible.
VI. Not only the Ethnography research is time consuming but also it involves high cost.
VII. As this type of research is highly subjective that’s why subjective biasness may be involve in conductive
Ethnography research.
VIII. It involves descriptive approach it means it rely on “story telling” and critical incident.
IX. Less involve with cause and effect relationship.
X. Less involves with formulation and testing hypothesis.
CONCLUSION
From the above analysis and description Ethnography research is a qualitative research. It involves high quality
research design. Its main objective is to describe cultural phenomena at the accurate and standard procedure. Its
central theme is to group or tribal group or community and their culture. But on the other hand, Ethnography
research may be less reliable because it is very tough to generalize the fact. It is less replicable and its design is
not only complex but also critical.
REFERENCES
1. Koul, L. (2009). Methodology of Educational Research. Vikash Publishing House pvt.Ltd, India
2. Best, J. and Khan, J. (2017). Research in Education. Pearson, India
3. Cohen, L. and Manion, L, Morrison, K. (2011). Research Methods in Education. Routledge, UK
4. Bogdan, R. (2016). Qualitative Research for Education. Pearson, India
5. Flick, U. (2017). An Introduction to Qualitative Research. Sage, India
6. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnpgraphy
7. https:// www.spotless.co.uk/insights/ethnography
8. https://www.socialresearchmethods.net
9. https://study.sagepub.com
10. https://literary-ethnograpgy

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