Specialized Ethnographic Methods A Mixed Methods Approach

by Schensul, Jean J.; Lecompte, Margaret D.

• ISBN13: 9780759122055
• ISBN10: 0759122059
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-10-12
• Publisher: AltaMira Press

Summary

The second edition of the Ethnographer's Toolkit is designed with the novice field researcher in mind. In this revised and updated version, the authors of the Toolkit take the reader through a series of seven books that spell out the steps involved in doing ethnographic research in community and institutional settings. Using simple, reader-friendly language, the Toolkit includes case studies, examples, illustrations, checklists, key points, and additional resources. The Toolkit is the perfect starting point for students and faculty in the social sciences, public health, education, environmental studies; allied health, and nursing, who may be new to ethnographic research. It also introduces professionals from diverse fields to the use of observation, assessment, and evaluation for practical ways to improve programs and achieve better service outcomes.

Author Biography

Jean J. Schensul is founding director and senior scientist at the Institute for Community Research, Hartford, Connecticut. Margaret D. LeCompte is professor emerita of education and sociology at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures	p. ix
List of Examples	p. xiv
Introduction to the Ethnographer's Toolkit	p. xix
Defining, Collecting, Cataloging, and Analyzing Artifacts	p. 1
What Is an Artifact? When Is an Artifact "Cultural"?	p. 1
Characteristics of Cultural Artifacts	p. 2
Why Researchers Should Use Cultural Artifacts	p. 8
Distinguishing Cultural Artifacts from Other Kinds of Data	p. 10
Categories of Artifacts	p. 11
Problems in Collecting and Using Artifacts in Research	p. 25
Categorizing and Cataloging Artifacts	p. 27
Converting Artifacts into Data via Transcription	p. 28
Content Analysis of Texts Representing Artifacts	p. 30
Interpreting Artifacts	p. 36
Conclusion	p. 47
Using Archival and Secondary Data in Ethnographic Research	p. 50
Introduction	p. 50
Defining Archival and Secondary Data	p. 51
Local Archival Data	p. 53
Using Local Archival Data	p. 59
Locating and Using Sources of Secondary Data with Local Relevance	p. 62
Nonlocal Sources of Secondary Data	p. 65
Using Nonlocal Quantitative Secondary Data Sets for Hypothesis Testing and Cross-National Comparisons	p. 68
Using Qualitative Secondary Data Sources for Hypothesis Testing and Cross-Cultural Comparisons	p. 74
Summary	p. 77
Elicitation Techniques for Cultural Domain Analysis	p. 80
Introduction	p. 80
Eliciting Cultural Domains Using Free Lists	p. 84
Eliciting Domain Structure Using Pilesorts	p. 94
Eliciting Domain Structure Using Triads	p. 104
Conclusion	p. 114
Mapping Spatial Data	p. 117
The Spatial Perspective	p. 117
Spatial Dimensions of Community	p. 120
Spatial Dimensions of Individual Life	p. 127
Spatial Dimensions of Community Institutions	p. 149
Spatial Sampling	p. 152
Mapping Spatial Data	p. 164
Conducting Ethnographic Network Studies: Friends, Relatives, and Relevant Others	p. 193
Introduction to Network Research	p. 193
Key Concepts in Ethnographic Approaches to Social Networks	p. 202
Ego-Centered Approaches to Understanding Networks	p. 212
Constructing Communitywide Macronetworks from Ego Network Data	p. 226
Full Network Relationships: Reciprocal Network Information	p. 229
Network Sampling Strategies	p. 239
Summary and Conclusions	p. 242
Studying Hidden and Hard-to-Reach Populations	p. 255
What Are Hidden and Hard-to-Reach Populations?	p. 255
Evolution of Hidden and Hard-to-Reach Population Research	p. 265
Reaching the Hard-to-Reach: Methods for Studying Hidden Populations	p. 271
Recruiting Study Participants	p. 288
Methodological Considerations	p. 296
Ethical Issues in Studying Hidden Populations	p. 307
Conclusions	p. 313
Using Multimedia Techniques in Ethnographic Research	p. 318
Introduction	p. 318
Conceptual Considerations	p. 320
Methodological Considerations	p. 323
Applications of Multimedia Techniques	p. 354
Conclusions	p. 355
Creating Participatory Ethnographic Videos	p. 363
Introduction to Participatory Video-Based Research	p. 363
Participatory Video Methods	p. 365
Identifying the Issue(s)	p. 366
Designing the Research	p. 367
Developing a Storyline	p. 377
Preparing for Video Production	p. 383
Training in Filmmaking	p. 386
Skills Required of Researchers	p. 387
Participatory Data Analysis	p. 388
Editing Video to Communicate Results	p. 399
Results Feedback, Local Screenings	p. 402
Disseminating Results	p. 408
Summary	p. 410
Index	p. 415
About the Authors, Artists, and Editors	p. 435
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