Explain the four steps to learning what to watch and listen for when conducting ethnography

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

1. Taking in the physical setting: Wander the setting, and map the setting through drawings and field notes. This allows the researcher to determine how to cover these areas in an efficient and effective manner, to begin getting acquainted with inhabitants, and to draw first impressions. First impressions and friendly interaction with inhabitants can create points of reference or rapport later.
2. Developing relationships with inhabitants (locating potential guides and informants): Researcher must locate a guide by being passively present in the situation, and ensuring locals that all information collected will be held in strict confidence. Researchers may need to show credentials. Guides should be flattered (though not overly) for their expert knowledge of the group, and how it is invaluable to the researcher. Then the researcher should gain permission to spend time in the setting in proximity to the guide.
3. Tracking, observing, eavesdropping, and asking questions: After gaining access to several guides, the researcher should follow the guide and watch other activities, daily routines, and interactions with the people they interact with. Researchers should eavesdrop on the guide's conversations. Researchers can learn a lot about an event just by being present while people are discussing it. Researchers may hear terms they do not understand the meaning of. It is helpful to note these down, and ask a guide or participant of their meaning at a later date. The researcher must be obviously present when eavesdropping, not hiding in the bushes.
4. Locating subgroups and stars (central characters in various subgroups): Subgroups are people who spend more time with one another than others. They may not be a formal group, but rather a form of social networking. Using these social networks, researchers can determine who are the central figures of a given network. These figures are referred to as opinion leaders, or stars. Developing a relationship with, and gaining approval of a star can be as important as gaining access through a gatekeeper. Researchers should gain access to a star as soon as possible after entering a setting.