Ethnography Project
Rubric and Guide
Part I: Prospectus (25pts.)
What is a prospectus? A prospectus is simply a brief description of the research you
propose to conduct for your field project. The prospectus should include at least a one or
two paragraph description of your project. In this description, you will tell me what
micro-culture you have chosen to study and why this particular group interests you. Next,
you will tell me how you plan to access this group and what event (s) you will be
observing as a participant observer. Finally, you will write a few research questions you
would like to answer through the course of your research.
For example, let’s say that I wanted to learn more about Indian culture in the Bay area.
There is no way I would be able to learn everything about Indian culture in one quarter,
especially as an “outsider.” But, I have a few questions about Indian culture that I might
be able to answer during my fieldwork and interviews. First, chose a specific topic about
Indian culture and develop a few research questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What do you want to study and what is the objective of your research?
What is interesting about your topic and how would you analyze it?
What are the specific questions you are going to ask and to whom?
Develop three specific questions
What do you know about this topic and what more you want to learn about it?
And how?
Here are some specific questions about an activity.
1When did Sikh religion become popular in the Bay area
2It seems that Sikh religion is a service-based religion. How are the men and women
participating in it?
3.Why do Sikhs wear turban and what do they worship?
A. Grading Rubric
Formal coversheet: Title of the project, name, date, and class
_____5pts.
Describes the micro-culture and why there is interest in studying it
_____5pts.
Tells how access will be gained and what event(s) will be observed
_____5pts.
Writes at least three concise research questions to guide investigation
_____10pts.
Total Points
_____25pts.
*Before starting your field work, you will need to read “Participant Observation” from
the book, Becoming a Qualitative Researcher. This chapter will tell you how to write an
ethnographic description and will give you some hints as to what to look for during your
field observations. It will be obvious if you try to conduct your observation without first
reading this chapter!