Ethnographic Production: Fieldwork,
Text and Audience.
• The anthropologist’s long-term participation encourages
grounded knowledge which is then used vicariously as a
means of comprehending others’ experience (Hastrup and
Hervik 1994: 62).
I begin to understand the other culture, not on the basis of
accumulated data(that are by themselves empty
understandings),
but when I can relate to my informants dialogically, such that
their actions make reasonable sense to me, as mine to them”
(Obeyesekere 1990: 226).
Overview of Ethnographic
fieldwork:
• History of fieldwork in anthropology
1. Participant observation:
A. Explicit: Recorded or formal
B. Tacit: personal experience personal belief
We all are participant observers
of culture.
• Anthropologists:
1. Systematic use of data
A. Intentionality
a. Theoretical inquiry
The Ethnographic experience cannot be taken at face
value but must be studied in its sensational depth
(Hastrup and Hervik 1994: 224).
• 1. Non-verbal knowledge
• 2. Embodied knowledge
• 3. Learning by doing and experiencing,
comparing
• Through particular procedures: recording
observations
Origins of Participant
Observation
• Armchair Anthropologists
.1. no clear methodology
2. detachment from subjects
• Malinowski
1. emphasis on everyday interaction
2. established relationship between theory and
method
Malinowski’s three standard
themes
• 1. Culture and context
• 2. Importance on Etic approach
• 3. Cultural particularism
First: Culture and context
integration
• Aspects of culture cannot be study in
isolation
• Put into proper context: local
• Ethnographer needs to be present
Two: etic approach
• Scientifically verification of informal
descriptions
• Emic Approach: local-oriented approach to
anthropological investigations.
• Etic Approach: Scientific-oriented
approach to anthropological investigations.
Third: cultural particularism
• When one put the “primitive’ action into its
proper context (cultural particularism) one
would understand that his action is
reasonable.
• Against racism and ethnocentrism
Key elements of the method of
participant observation
• 1. Living in the context for an extended period of time
• 2. Learning and using local languages and dialect
• 3. Actively participating in a wide range of daily routines
and extraordinary activities with people in that context.
• 4. Using everyday conversations as interview techniques
• 5. Informally observing during leisure activities)
• 6. Recording observations in the field notes
• 7. Using both tacit and explicit information in analysis and
writing
Contextualization of participants
• Positionality: situated knowledge produced by
positioned actors
• Context: positionality and history
• Harowitz’s example; identities
Participant observation and
ethical issues
• Not full prof method
• One among others
• Problems with many types of audiences
Overview of field research
• Beginning the fieldwork process: Selection of
project, funding Preparing for the field
• Working in the Field: Site selection, gaining rapport
Exchanges and gift giving, factors influencing fieldwork,
culture shock
• Fieldwork techniques: theoretical considerations,
interviews and questionnaires
• Recording Culture: field notes, tape recording,
photography, videos and films
• Data analysis: analysing data, writing process