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Ethnographic Research & Ethnography

About this Guide

Use the menu on the left to find:

  • databases to search for journal articles (you'll be prompted to log-in with an MSU NetID from off-campus)
  • a list of key journals in ethnography
  • a list of recommended books 
  • some recommended videos on the topic of ethnographic research

Ethnographic research is a qualitative method where researchers immerse themselves in a community or culture to observe and understand its practices, behaviors, and perspectives.

Ethnographic research:

  • Studies people and cultures in their everyday lives.
  • Researchers observe, ask questions, and join activities to understand a group.
  • Focuses on how people think, act, and interact.
  • Gives detailed insights about a culture or community.
  • Used primarily in anthropology, sociology, business, and other fields.

Ethnography refers to the written or documented result of ethnographic research. 

Ethnography:

  • Describes the culture or community being studied.
  • Include details about behaviors, practices, and social interactions.
  • Analyzes and explains the findings from the fieldwork.
  • Can be in the form of books, articles, or reports.
  • Help readers understand the community from the perspective of its members.

What is Ethnography and how does it work?

Ethnography Research: Types Explained With Examples

Related Research Guides

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