Initiating Ethnographic Research A Mixed Methods Approach

Initiating Ethnographic Research: Models, Methods and Measurement is the first book of its kind to explore in depth the many critical issues that ethnographic researchers need to consider before going to the field and in the earliest stages of the field experience. Following guidelines established in Book 1 of The Ethnographer's Toolkit, the first three chapters describe the reasons why ethnography should be considered a mixed methods approach to social science research, why theory is important in guiding a study, and institutional and personal preparations required to enter a field setting. Additional chapters debunk the idea of "clean slate" investigation and show researchers why and how they can develop initial theoretical models based on local knowledge and literature reviews. Ethnography is a holistic approach, so models take into consideration both individual/population and systemic considerations. They show the way to integrating ecological, empirical, critical, and interpretivist approaches in a comprehensive analysis of a dynamic system. Two chapters illustrate the connection between steps in the modeling process and steps in data collection from most open ended to ethnographic surveying, as described in Book 3, with extended case examples. The final chapter shows how the modeling process can be extended to guide the development of change strategies at multiple levels a process that should be part of any research program. All chapters provide ample diagrams, instructions, examples, and illustrations, making the book easy to read and understand. Book 2, overall, offers a unique mixed methods lens through which to conduct ethnography, using research modeling and measures to develop theory and to influence change.