Critical Ethnography in Educational Research: A Theoretical and Practical Guide

There is a veritable explosion of ethnographic research in education throughout the world today. Much of this is increasingly influenced by the perspectives of critical theory and cultural studies. However, there has until now been no coherent guide to the theoretical foundations and methodological procedures that make critical ethnography what it is, that both elaborates why one should do it and how one should do it.Critical Ethnography in Educational Researchprovides both a technical, theoretical guide to advanced ethnography--focusing on such concepts as primary data collection and system relationships--and a very practical guide for researchers interested in conducting actual studies. Phil Carspecken is ideally suited to write such a volume, having engaged in a number of well known ethnographic studies himself. His approach to establishing a theoretical and practical guide draws on excellent sources which complement his own superb analytic and methodological knowledge.Furthermore, by grounding his discussions in actual examples taken from his and others' research, he is able to make complex issues much clearer than others are able to do. Carspecken's work uncovers very exciting developments in critical social theory and applies them to ethnographic analysis in a way which distinctly contributes to the field--yet he does so in a manner which is accessible to all. This groundbreaking guide will prove an international success for a diverse range of readers.