Hi, I have used a rapid (quick, short-term) ethnographic approach to answer my research question which is based on small community development NGO processes. My question here is multifaceted...please answer one or more!
1. Is ethnography (outsider's observations and interpretations) antithetical to community development values of bottom-up, participant driven, indigenous research methods?
2. How short is too short for observation to be worthwhile and valid?
3. Can an observer justify their interpretations of the small slice of interactions that they see over the course of a few days as valid?
4. What do you think are some problems and benefits of rapid ethnography?
Hi Leanne,
You have a set of interesting questions that I'll try to answer them as a whole. To start with, we can transfer similar questions to the existence of an NGO in a certain community, mainly when the NGO main structure comes from outside, just like an ethnographer who enters a certain field coming from a different ethnic background. So, both scenarios can have ethical implications, in terms of top-down approach in contrast to a bottom-up one. In this manner, the ethnographer as an outsider, should reflect on what types of interactions they want to engage with the local community, that is, what their positionality is and they signal it to the members in the local community. To minimize a 'colonial' attitude, the ethnographer should engage in collaborative tasks with the local community, by erasing or lowering hierarchies and adapting certain research methods that align with the culture of the local community (e.g. storytelling). To get to know and become familiar with a certain community may take some time; but it is also the type of research question that will guide the time necessary to be spent with a certain community. So, short will depend on the research question and objectives you have, and once you have collected the data that you think can answer your questions, the whole process becomes valid. If research project is constraint by logistics and time, you have to develop a research question that is precise and clear with no room for ambiguities. After collecting your data, you should exam the slices you need to answer your question, and avoid generalizations since your corpus is limited or small. We shouldn't relate the notion of validity in terms of duration in an ethnographic project. To be valid is to have the appropriate questions available, the appropriate research methods/tools, and an engagement with a local community that can provide genuine interactions. This is my 2 cents. Regards.
Oh such a helpful answer Andrea! Thank you very much. You’ve got my brain ticking now.
I’ve been wondering whether my approach is actually ethnographic. I have tried to build a strong ongoing relationship with informants and organisations and be transparent throughout the research process. But with some of the organisations I have had almost no contact. E.g. at the most I spent 8 days full time (day and night) at the NGO and with staff then maintained a working relationship with them from then on. The least contact was one NGO that I only interviewed in a secondary location and analysed their documents (no observation). So im not sure if i can even say this approach is ethnographic...although my intent is to understand the organisations from their point of view and be part of their operations as much as possible...
Hi Leanne,
Sorry for the late reply. I believe Uchendu's contribution can help clarify what you are doing, or better, frame your research with more supporting resources. I'd also recommend this article as it might address some of your concerns. I still believe that your research project may be grounded in an adapted ethnography; or you can call it case study as well, based on participatory fieldwork. Anyway, qualitative methods evolve as per demands and needs of our contemporary society, just take the example of digital ethnography.
- You can explore more the FQS website with its resources...
Article Focused Ethnography: A Methodological Adaptation for Social ...
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