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Introduction to Ethnographic Research
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Introduction to Ethnographic Research
A Guide for Anthropology



October 2019 | 288 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc
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.

INSTRUCTORS! Doing Ethnographic Research: Activities and Exercises by Kimberly Kirner and Jan Mills is $5 when you bundle with the core text, Introduction to Ethnographic Research: A Guide for Anthropology. Use bundle ISBN: 978-1-5443-9989-8

 
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

 

Supplements

Instructor Site

study.sagepub.com/kirner

Password-protected Instructor Resources include the following:

  • Chapter exercises that help students engage with the material by reinforcing important content and inspiring critical thinking
  • Editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides that offer complete flexibility for creating a multimedia presentation for your course.
Key features
Key Features:

* Written in a conversational style that makes it easier for students to grasp concepts and the process of ethnographic research. 

Discussion boxes throughout chapters that let the student pause and think constructively.  

Marginal definitions on essential key terms. 

* Featured case studies of previously conducted research which serves as a behind-the-scene interview on how students conduct research, plus first-hand accounts of successes, failures and advice from researchers in the field

Easy-to-understand figures that aim for better student comprehension.

Sage College Publishing

You can purchase or sample this product on our Sage College Publishing site:

Go To College Site

Bundles

This title is also available on SAGE Research Methods, the ultimate digital methods library. If your library doesn’t have access, ask your librarian to start a trial.