Introduction to Ethnographic Research: A Guide for Anthropology

by Kimberly Kirner, Jan L. Mills

Overview

Introduction to Ethnographic Research streamlines learning the process of research, speaks to the student at a foundational level, and helps the reader conquer the apprehensions of mastering research methods. Written in a conversational style, authors Kimberly Kirner and Jan Mills use a focus on scaffolding across the chapters to help the student transition from step to step in the research process. Case studies and first-hand accounts are also featured in each chapter, allowing the student to see the early steps, successes and at times failures that accomplished researchers experienced in their past. These real examples further encourage the student that even the best researchers failed along the way, and more importantly, learned from those mistakes. This text is designed to be used as a stand alone book, but is enhanced by the use with the supplemental workbook, Doing Ethnographic Research by the same authors. This text has call-outs to the supplemental text, which allow for application and practice of the material learned.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781544333991
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	09/05/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
File size:	24 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Basics of Research Design
Ways of Knowing
Research Stages
Variables
Operational Definitions
Levels of Measurement and Units of Analysis
The Relationship of Projects, Method, and Theory
Making Mistakes
Finding a Topic
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
2. The Ethics of Working with Human Participants
Ethics in Conducting Research with Human Subjects
The Researcher’s Responsibilities to the People We Study
The Researcher’s Responsibilities to Scholarship and the Public
Ethical Dilemmas
Vulnerable Populations
Positionality and Privilege
The Institutional Review Board Process
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
3. Sampling
What is a sample?
NonProbability Samples
Types of NonProbability Samples
Choosing Key Informants
Probability Samples
Types of Probability Samples
Sampling in the Hypothetico-Deductive Method
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
4. Participant Observation
The Advantages of Participant Observation
Fieldwork Roles
Skills for Participant Observation
Getting Started
What to Expect When You’re Doing Fieldwork
Jottings
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
5. Writing Field Notes
The Truth as Subjective
The Process of Writing
Strategies for Field Notes
Writing Choices
Analytical Writing within Field Notes
Common Problems with Field Notes
Autoethnography
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
6. Interviewing
Types of Interviewing
The Semi-Structured Interview
Interactions During the Interview
Interviewing and “The Truth”
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
7. Introduction to Coding and Analysis
What is Coding?
Inductive versus Deductive Coding
Analytical Method 1: Deductive Latent Content Analysis
Analytical Method 2: Grounded Theory (Inductive Coding)
Analysis: Identifying Themes in Your Codes
Crafting an Ethnographic Story: The Recipe Box Method
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
8. Surveys and Mixed Methods Design
Mixed Methods Design
Survey Question Format
Rules for Wording Survey Questions
Survey Distribution
Survey Analysis and Writing
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
9. Cultural Domains: Modeling Cognition and Knowledge
Cognitive Anthropology and Models
Folk Taxonomies: Data Collection
Folk Taxonomies: Analysis
Cultural Models: Data Collection
Cultural Models: Analysis
Decision-Tree Models: Data Collection
Decision-Tree Models: Analysis
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
10. Indirect Observation
Visual and Material Culture
Interpreting Material Culture
Diary Studies
Archival Studies and Digital Ethnography
Remembering the Original Context
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
11. Behavior and Context
Mapping Human Behavior
Passive Direct Observation
Continuous Monitoring
Spot Sampling
Describing Behavior and Context in Ethnographic Narratives
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Case Study
Study Guide
For Further Study
12. Conclusion: Putting It All Together
Self-Assessment and Refinement
Collegial Relationships and Peer Review
Culminating Experiences
Pairing the Textbook and Workbook
Study Guide