I just submitted my research proposals for an ethnographic study for my PhD. I only submitted two queries and both were successful. I'm now panicking a little because it went from being hypothetical to real very quickly! This helped calm me down quite a bit, thank you! I'd greatly appreciate a video on online ethnography fwiw...
Congratulations on your successful research proposals! I hope you are celebrating this weekend! I'll certainly do an online ethnography video soon but in the meantime, check out Chapter 13 of Carol Grbich's book, "Qualitative Data Analysis: An introduction". That chapter is all about cyberethnography and e-research so it will certainly be helpful.
@@DegreeDoctor thank you so much for the suggestion, I'll check it out! My celebrating this weekend involves even more research, so I'll add that to my list for sure. Thanks for providing such helpful information and content - it's greatly appreciated. I'm the first in my family to go to college at all let alone to get a PhD, so guidance like this has been pivotal for me. ❤️
Can I just say a big thank you for producing these videos - not just on ethnography, but the many videos you have available! I am studying a Masters level subject to teach me about qualitative research in healthcare. We read a chapter of text on the role of theory in qualitative research and I came out the other side of that befuddled and distraught! How would I grasp this?! Your videos have broken this down for me and you have explained it so well in a manner I was able to understand. Thankyou for putting in the effort to do this!
You're welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful 😊. For autoethnography, the best theoretical framework really depends on your specific focus. A great resource to start with is Carolyn Ellis’s work on autoethnography. She provides practical guidance and theoretical insights that can help you frame and develop your approach effectively. Let me know if you’d like more recommendations, and best of luck with your research!
@@DegreeDoctor Thank you so much! I'm looking at Systems Theory atm since my work is focused around my experiences in a specific niche in education (working with teachers and leaders of twice-exceptional learners) and the challenges around policies, practices and sustainability in relation to collaborative support for these students. I'll look into Carolyn Ellis's work - so grateful to have found your channel!
You're very welcome! Systems Theory could provide a robust framework, especially given the complex interactions between policies, practices, and the stakeholders involved in educational support. Carolyn Ellis’s work will complement this by helping you articulate and reflect on your personal experiences within the educational system. Wishing you all the best with your research journey, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further resources!
Thank you for the video. A few points that I think are worth discussing or at least reflecting on: almost every textbook says that you should translate the research project into a language that is understandable for the field. I keep coming up against this formulation because it stands in stark contrast to one of the basic assumptions of ethnographic research: that researchers do not (at least as a rule) speak the language of the field, know the symbolic order and practices. And that they should therefore participate (and observe) to learn. So instead of translating your research on the basis of everyday assumptions, wouldn't it make more sense to present the research in your own language and leave it to the field to determine what it wants to have explained? In my research, I have repeatedly found that translations into supposed field language do not increase understanding, but on the contrary, cause irritation (or in the case of organizations, occasionally even undermine your own professional appearance). … a similar discussion could also be held with regard to sponsors (how do you know the social order and constellations within a group if you are an outsider) or with regard to benefits (how do I know what value a gift has, in the words of Marcel Mauss)?
Thank you for such an insightful comment! You raise an excellent point about the tension between translating research for the field versus preserving the original language and symbolic practices of the studied group. Ethnography does indeed emphasise participation and immersion, so trying to 'translate' can sometimes strip away the authentic nuances or even cause misunderstandings. I think your approach of presenting research in its own language and letting the field interpret it adds depth and respects the integrity of ethnographic work. The questions you mention regarding sponsors and the social order also highlight some of the complex dynamics we navigate as researchers-especially when it comes to understanding value and context in different cultural frameworks. Really valuable reflections, thank you for sharing!
@@DegreeDoctor and thank you for answering. I really didn't expect that! ... great channel btw which I always like to recommend to my students! Best wishes from Germany, Max
Thank you for the video! I’m a university academic with a healthcare professional background in the UK. I’m thinking about doing an ethnographic study on my sabbatical on the camino de Santiago and collect data as I walk. I’m particular interested in personal transformations and how being a pilgrim contributes to a persons’s wellbeing. My RUclips channel is a giveaway as I already consider myself a member of that group (a pilgrim). But I’ve never immersed in the group as a researcher. I also wonder how ethics and consent would work, particularly if taking filters as out interactions and observations etc. It’s likely that I would start walking alone and then join up with others potentially in a “camino family” but this is likely to be an ever changing group as people walk at different paces etc over this 500 mile walk. If you have any thoughts or practical tips as to whether this could work and how - I would be really grateful! Thanks ☺️
Thank you for sharing your plans! The Camino de Santiago sounds like an incredible setting for an ethnographic study, especially with your focus on personal transformation and wellbeing. Given that you already consider yourself part of this community, you’d bring a unique insider perspective to the research, which can be very powerful in ethnography. For practical tips, here are a few things to consider: Ethics and consent: Since you’re engaging with a dynamic and shifting group, using ongoing, verbal consent can be quite effective. At the start of each new interaction, you can explain your role as a researcher and give a brief overview of your study. Make it clear that participation is voluntary and that individuals are free to opt out at any point. You could say something like, “I’m researching the experiences of pilgrims on the Camino and would love to include your thoughts. If at any time you’d prefer not to participate, just let me know, and I’ll make sure to exclude our interactions, no explanation needed.” You could give them an email address to contact you on by a given date. This ensures ongoing consent and respects the autonomy of your participants, allowing them to withdraw easily if they’re uncomfortable. Documenting transformations: Keeping a reflective journal can be invaluable. Note down your observations, interactions, and your own reflections daily to capture both the data and your evolving thoughts as a researcher. You may want to do this in notebook form or audio record your thoughts or a combination of both depending on how practical each is at any given time. Changing group dynamics: As your group might change frequently, it’s helpful to treat each new group as a unique data source, which adds richness to your study. The fluid nature of the Camino could give you great insight into how different interactions contribute to a pilgrim’s experience. It sounds like you’re set for a meaningful sabbatical. I wish you the best as you prepare, and feel free to reach out with any other questions. This has the potential to be a really impactful study!
@@DegreeDoctorthank you so much! That’s really helpful! I’m sure I will have more questions so you may hear from me again! Great channel and videos! Thanks again! 😊
Just one more question atm… Do ethnographic researchers usually need to produce a hefty Participant information sheet and and consent form to sign? This could be very heavy going, disruptive and unnatural when living as part of an ever-changing group for several weeks. But I don’t know how else it would get through university ethics and be acceptable for publication. I’m not from a social science background so I’m just trying to gain an understanding of the methods and practicalities before coming up with my design. Thank you!
Thank you, Kate! I’m glad you found the info helpful. I’m more than happy to help answer any questions as you move forward - ethnographic research can definitely bring up a lot of considerations! Regarding your follow-up question about consent forms, you’re right that a standard written consent process can feel disruptive in a setting like the Camino. Ethnographers often use a more flexible approach, such as verbal consent, especially when working with transient or dynamic groups. However, universities sometimes have strict requirements, so it’s worth discussing with your ethics committee early on to see if verbal consent will be acceptable for your study. To address university ethics and publication requirements, you could prepare a simple participant information sheet that explains the study and verbally communicate the key points. Then, let participants know they can ask questions anytime and opt out if they wish. Sometimes, a recorded verbal consent-where you state your role, the purpose of the study, and participants’ rights-can also meet ethics requirements. Navigating ethics can be a balancing act in ethnography, but it’s great that you’re considering these aspects thoughtfully. I hope this helps, and feel free to reach out with more questions as you refine your design!
Yes, I will definitely do so soon, thanks for commenting! In the meantime, you might want to check out the 2019 book, "The Routledge Companion to Digital Ethnography" as there are some useful pointers in there.
Thank you so much for this!!! I am two months into an 'accidental' ethnographic research study (I only say accidental because I came into the site as a volunteer and only later decided to blend it with my masters thesis). I have done a bit of reading, but I'm overwhelmed by how much there is. Could you recommend any books that have been key to your understanding and experiences of ethnography? (And by any chance are you familiar with literature around ethnography in Social Work?)
The best research is often the accidental stuff! Great to see you're doing an ethnographic study for your masters! I'm not familiar with social work ethnographies specifically, but I can recommend these general books about the topic: Atkinson, P. (2007). _Ethnography: Principles in practice_ . Routledge. Coffey, A., Atkinson, P., Delamont, S., Lofland, J., & Lofland, L. (2004). _The handbook of ethnography_ . Sage. Madden, R. (2022). _Being ethnographic: A guide to the theory and practice of ethnography_ . Sage. All the best with your study, I hope it goes well!
Ethnographic research is a type of field research, where researchers immerse themselves in a particular culture or community to understand its dynamics and behaviors. Ethnographic methods might involve in-depth observation, interviews, and participant observation. On the other hand, field research encompasses a broader range of research, which may include ethnography but also other methods such as surveys or experiments. In essence, ethnography is a specialised form of field research focused on understanding specific cultures or social groups.
Technically no, but you would need to go through an ethical approval process to do this kind of research at any level. So, if you’re an undergrad, that might not be easy but if you want to do ethnographic research, go for it! There aren’t enough ethnographic studies happening right now!
I just sent this to some students who are doing ethnographic work this summer. Thank you so much for your brief+thorough introduction! The sweet spot!
Aww, that’s amazing! I hope they find it helpful! 🤓
I just submitted my research proposals for an ethnographic study for my PhD. I only submitted two queries and both were successful. I'm now panicking a little because it went from being hypothetical to real very quickly! This helped calm me down quite a bit, thank you! I'd greatly appreciate a video on online ethnography fwiw...
Congratulations on your successful research proposals! I hope you are celebrating this weekend! I'll certainly do an online ethnography video soon but in the meantime, check out Chapter 13 of Carol Grbich's book, "Qualitative Data Analysis: An introduction". That chapter is all about cyberethnography and e-research so it will certainly be helpful.
@@DegreeDoctor thank you so much for the suggestion, I'll check it out! My celebrating this weekend involves even more research, so I'll add that to my list for sure. Thanks for providing such helpful information and content - it's greatly appreciated. I'm the first in my family to go to college at all let alone to get a PhD, so guidance like this has been pivotal for me. ❤️
It's a pleasure to be part of your journey! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or queries :-)
Thank you for this, I'm struggling with my own Ethnography for a Sociology class, and this has helped immensely.
You’re very welcome! I’m so pleased it was helpful!
Can I just say a big thank you for producing these videos - not just on ethnography, but the many videos you have available! I am studying a Masters level subject to teach me about qualitative research in healthcare. We read a chapter of text on the role of theory in qualitative research and I came out the other side of that befuddled and distraught! How would I grasp this?! Your videos have broken this down for me and you have explained it so well in a manner I was able to understand. Thankyou for putting in the effort to do this!
I’m so pleased you’re finding the videos helpful ☺️ It’s a pleasure to be part of your journey 🤓
THANK YOU so much. That was really helpful :) Greetings from Egypt.
I’m so pleased it was useful! 🤓
I am so happy I found your channel!!
Me too!! A very warm welcome to Degree Doctor!
Thanks for this! Any tips re Autoethnography? Any theoretical frameworks that best suit this research design?
You're welcome! I'm glad the video was helpful 😊. For autoethnography, the best theoretical framework really depends on your specific focus.
A great resource to start with is Carolyn Ellis’s work on autoethnography. She provides practical guidance and theoretical insights that can help you frame and develop your approach effectively.
Let me know if you’d like more recommendations, and best of luck with your research!
@@DegreeDoctor Thank you so much! I'm looking at Systems Theory atm since my work is focused around my experiences in a specific niche in education (working with teachers and leaders of twice-exceptional learners) and the challenges around policies, practices and sustainability in relation to collaborative support for these students. I'll look into Carolyn Ellis's work - so grateful to have found your channel!
You're very welcome!
Systems Theory could provide a robust framework, especially given the complex interactions between policies, practices, and the stakeholders involved in educational support. Carolyn Ellis’s work will complement this by helping you articulate and reflect on your personal experiences within the educational system.
Wishing you all the best with your research journey, and feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need further resources!
Thank you for the video. A few points that I think are worth discussing or at least reflecting on: almost every textbook says that you should translate the research project into a language that is understandable for the field. I keep coming up against this formulation because it stands in stark contrast to one of the basic assumptions of ethnographic research: that researchers do not (at least as a rule) speak the language of the field, know the symbolic order and practices. And that they should therefore participate (and observe) to learn.
So instead of translating your research on the basis of everyday assumptions, wouldn't it make more sense to present the research in your own language and leave it to the field to determine what it wants to have explained? In my research, I have repeatedly found that translations into supposed field language do not increase understanding, but on the contrary, cause irritation (or in the case of organizations, occasionally even undermine your own professional appearance).
… a similar discussion could also be held with regard to sponsors (how do you know the social order and constellations within a group if you are an outsider) or with regard to benefits (how do I know what value a gift has, in the words of Marcel Mauss)?
Thank you for such an insightful comment! You raise an excellent point about the tension between translating research for the field versus preserving the original language and symbolic practices of the studied group. Ethnography does indeed emphasise participation and immersion, so trying to 'translate' can sometimes strip away the authentic nuances or even cause misunderstandings. I think your approach of presenting research in its own language and letting the field interpret it adds depth and respects the integrity of ethnographic work. The questions you mention regarding sponsors and the social order also highlight some of the complex dynamics we navigate as researchers-especially when it comes to understanding value and context in different cultural frameworks. Really valuable reflections, thank you for sharing!
@@DegreeDoctor and thank you for answering. I really didn't expect that! ... great channel btw which I always like to recommend to my students! Best wishes from Germany, Max
Any chance you could do phenomenology?
YES! You’re not the first person to ask for a phenomenology video so there will be one soon! Is there anything specifically you’d like me to focus on?
The same as what you did here? What it means? How is it different from ethnography? What are the data collection method
Great, will do! Watch this space!
Thank you for the video! I’m a university academic with a healthcare professional background in the UK. I’m thinking about doing an ethnographic study on my sabbatical on the camino de Santiago and collect data as I walk. I’m particular interested in personal transformations and how being a pilgrim contributes to a persons’s wellbeing.
My RUclips channel is a giveaway as I already consider myself a member of that group (a pilgrim). But I’ve never immersed in the group as a researcher. I also wonder how ethics and consent would work, particularly if taking filters as out interactions and observations etc. It’s likely that I would start walking alone and then join up with others potentially in a “camino family” but this is likely to be an ever changing group as people walk at different paces etc over this 500 mile walk. If you have any thoughts or practical tips as to whether this could work and how - I would be really grateful! Thanks ☺️
Thank you for sharing your plans! The Camino de Santiago sounds like an incredible setting for an ethnographic study, especially with your focus on personal transformation and wellbeing. Given that you already consider yourself part of this community, you’d bring a unique insider perspective to the research, which can be very powerful in ethnography.
For practical tips, here are a few things to consider:
Ethics and consent: Since you’re engaging with a dynamic and shifting group, using ongoing, verbal consent can be quite effective. At the start of each new interaction, you can explain your role as a researcher and give a brief overview of your study. Make it clear that participation is voluntary and that individuals are free to opt out at any point. You could say something like, “I’m researching the experiences of pilgrims on the Camino and would love to include your thoughts. If at any time you’d prefer not to participate, just let me know, and I’ll make sure to exclude our interactions, no explanation needed.” You could give them an email address to contact you on by a given date. This ensures ongoing consent and respects the autonomy of your participants, allowing them to withdraw easily if they’re uncomfortable.
Documenting transformations: Keeping a reflective journal can be invaluable. Note down your observations, interactions, and your own reflections daily to capture both the data and your evolving thoughts as a researcher. You may want to do this in notebook form or audio record your thoughts or a combination of both depending on how practical each is at any given time.
Changing group dynamics: As your group might change frequently, it’s helpful to treat each new group as a unique data source, which adds richness to your study. The fluid nature of the Camino could give you great insight into how different interactions contribute to a pilgrim’s experience.
It sounds like you’re set for a meaningful sabbatical. I wish you the best as you prepare, and feel free to reach out with any other questions. This has the potential to be a really impactful study!
@@DegreeDoctorthank you so much! That’s really helpful! I’m sure I will have more questions so you may hear from me again! Great channel and videos! Thanks again! 😊
Just one more question atm… Do ethnographic researchers usually need to produce a hefty Participant information sheet and and consent form to sign? This could be very heavy going, disruptive and unnatural when living as part of an ever-changing group for several weeks. But I don’t know how else it would get through university ethics and be acceptable for publication. I’m not from a social science background so I’m just trying to gain an understanding of the methods and practicalities before coming up with my design. Thank you!
Thank you, Kate! I’m glad you found the info helpful. I’m more than happy to help answer any questions as you move forward - ethnographic research can definitely bring up a lot of considerations!
Regarding your follow-up question about consent forms, you’re right that a standard written consent process can feel disruptive in a setting like the Camino. Ethnographers often use a more flexible approach, such as verbal consent, especially when working with transient or dynamic groups. However, universities sometimes have strict requirements, so it’s worth discussing with your ethics committee early on to see if verbal consent will be acceptable for your study.
To address university ethics and publication requirements, you could prepare a simple participant information sheet that explains the study and verbally communicate the key points. Then, let participants know they can ask questions anytime and opt out if they wish. Sometimes, a recorded verbal consent-where you state your role, the purpose of the study, and participants’ rights-can also meet ethics requirements.
Navigating ethics can be a balancing act in ethnography, but it’s great that you’re considering these aspects thoughtfully. I hope this helps, and feel free to reach out with more questions as you refine your design!
Thank you very much for this insightful explanation. You mentioned about online ethnography. Would you please explain as well about that?
Yes, I will definitely do so soon, thanks for commenting! In the meantime, you might want to check out the 2019 book, "The Routledge Companion to Digital Ethnography" as there are some useful pointers in there.
Thank you so much for this!!! I am two months into an 'accidental' ethnographic research study (I only say accidental because I came into the site as a volunteer and only later decided to blend it with my masters thesis). I have done a bit of reading, but I'm overwhelmed by how much there is. Could you recommend any books that have been key to your understanding and experiences of ethnography? (And by any chance are you familiar with literature around ethnography in Social Work?)
The best research is often the accidental stuff! Great to see you're doing an ethnographic study for your masters!
I'm not familiar with social work ethnographies specifically, but I can recommend these general books about the topic:
Atkinson, P. (2007). _Ethnography: Principles in practice_ . Routledge.
Coffey, A., Atkinson, P., Delamont, S., Lofland, J., & Lofland, L. (2004). _The handbook of ethnography_ . Sage.
Madden, R. (2022). _Being ethnographic: A guide to the theory and practice of ethnography_ . Sage.
All the best with your study, I hope it goes well!
@@DegreeDoctor You are an absolute star! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this video
You are so welcome!
what is difference between ethnography research and field research
Ethnographic research is a type of field research, where researchers immerse themselves in a particular culture or community to understand its dynamics and behaviors. Ethnographic methods might involve in-depth observation, interviews, and participant observation.
On the other hand, field research encompasses a broader range of research, which may include ethnography but also other methods such as surveys or experiments. In essence, ethnography is a specialised form of field research focused on understanding specific cultures or social groups.
@@DegreeDoctor but there defination is a lot similar and you have cleared degree doctor . Thank YOu
Do you have to have a masters or phd to conduct these studies?
Technically no, but you would need to go through an ethical approval process to do this kind of research at any level. So, if you’re an undergrad, that might not be easy but if you want to do ethnographic research, go for it! There aren’t enough ethnographic studies happening right now!