Ethnographic Essay - 2088 Words

The problem of gaining access can provide important insights into the nature and organization of the social setting under study. In what ways can issues influence the outcome of ethnographic research? What strategies can researchers adopt to overcome obstacles to access? ‘Ethnography is branch of anthropology which has aided social researchers in the quest for a deeper understanding of different societies, social groups or cultures’ (Hammersely, 1995p365). The purpose this essay is to gain an insight into the problems that researchers encounter when the try to gain access to certain fields they wish to investigate. There are many obstacles associated with this research approach and invariably can impact on the outcome of the†¦show more content†¦Once you have gained their trust and an effective rapport with the interviewee has been established, expressing your personal attitudes, revulsion or disgust at their opinions will only jeopardize the purpose of the interview. â€Å"The right man for the right job† is also a key factor. When dealing with sensitive issues for example like abortion and women’s views on it, a female researcher would make the interviewees more at ease and more likely to give an honest respo nse. Likewise when interviewing men and their bedroom antics, men would feel more at ease speaking to another male. A famous character constructed in traditional ethnographies is that of the â€Å"gate keeper†. This is usually a person who opens the field for the researcher, introduces them to the tribe or community They serve as mediator between group and the ethnographer, They will carefully step by step make the researcher familiar with the new environment. ‘To contact, meet, build rapport with, and interview a dealer, ethnographers need to be â€Å"properly introduced† by a â€Å"trusted associate† who functions as a go between A â€Å"trusted associate† is personally known by and has good relations with the potential subject,’ (Qualitive research 1999) The first step is to take the mystery out of the ethnographer s role. Gaining access to a social group through a sponsor or gatekeeper is a great strategy method in order to overcome obstacles in the ethnographic research field. As it is oftenShow MoreRelatedEssay about Postmodernism, Deconstructionism, and the Ethnographic Text5376 Words   |  22 Pages Postmodernism, Deconstructionism, and the Ethnographic Text Anthropology 575 Postmodernism nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;In the late 1960’s the social sciences (mainly anthropology and sociology) entered a crisis period in which traditional ways of conducting the study of the Other were re-examined in the context of their association with dominance-submission hierarchies and the objectification of the subjects of study. There was seen to be an association between WesternRead MoreEthnographic Research Essay1404 Words   |  6 Pages Ethnographic research is the scientific description of specific human cultures, foreign to the ethnographer. Each ethnographer has his or her own way of conducting research and all of these different ideas can be transmitted and understood in a number of different ways. 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