Ethnographic Interviewing Techniques Research Articles

Native American Caregivers' Developmental Priorities for Young Children

Native American tribes and families are highly pluralistic in their ideologies, beliefs, traditions, and values. Very little research has described the parenting and child-rearing beliefs of Native American caregivers. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of Native American caregivers' developmental priorities and preferences regarding their young children's development. Participants included 21 Native American caregivers from a reservation in the Mountain West region of the United States. Ethnographic interviewing techniques described by C. E. Westby (1990) were used to collect caregiver perspectives. Through the use of a naturalistic inquiry paradigm, the process of template analysis was used to organize concepts and identify central themes and subthemes regarding caregivers' priorities and preferences for their children's development. The following 4 themes were identified: (a) supporting Native culture and language preservation, (b) teaching preacademic skills, (c) acquiring social and emotional competence, and (d) teaching self-care and independence. Clinical implications based on these themes and subthemes are discussed in the context of intervention with young Native American children and their families.

Adapting photovoice to explore identity expression amongst people with intellectual disabilities who have limited or no verbal communication

Accessible Summary People with intellectual disabilities who have limited, or no verbal communication can be involved in research. Ethnographic observations and interview techniques can work together with photovoice. More research needs to be completed directly involving people with intellectual disabilities. AbstractBackgroundInclusive research requires adapting methodologies to meet the needs of people with all degrees of intellectual disabilities. However, it must also balance this with the requirements of academic research. Building from previous research a study was completed to illustrate how photovoice could not only be adapted to meet the needs of people with intellectual disabilities who have limited or no verbal communication but to also explore how they express their identity.MethodsA qualitative multiple case study method was used to explore identity expression amongst three participants with intellectual disabilities and limited or no verbal communication. The methodology integrated ethnographic observations, photovoice and interview techniques.FindingsIntegrating the ethnographic observations, photovoice and interview techniques offered families and carers the opportunity to become curious about participants' identities, and this methodology was considered valuable in getting to know more about the person.ConclusionsIt is hoped that through conducting research that directly involves people with intellectual disabilities, more creative and inclusive methods can be explored, verified and applied across various research contexts.

THE UNCERTAIN DECORUM OF ONLINE IDENTIFICATION: A STUDY IN QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWS

This study explores the ethics and motivations of online identification—how and why people collect and publish identifying information about others online. In seven interviews, activists, Internet users, advocates, and journalists were asked about their investigative practice and how they viewed the ethics of deanonymization. Using ethnographic interviewing techniques and a thematic analysis inspired by grounded theory, I describe respondents’ investigations and compare them to existing theories in surveillance studies, online anonymity, and digital vigilantism. Respondents often struggled with making their work accessible and impactful in an ethical manner. They obfuscated irrelevant information that might incite online harassment and took care in who they collaborated with. The respondents also debated what to do when people misinterpreted their work or thought that they had acted unjustly. The precautions they incorporated into their publications are examples of how people navigate online ethics when there isn’t a clear standard for moral decisions. Ultimately, the interview results did not follow models of digital vigilantism and doxxing, and I caution against using those terms to apply to cases like those described in this study. I also make suggestions for how these results could augment theoretical models of anonymity, particularly how respondents’ investigative techniques and backgrounds lead them to different moral commitments.

Investigating Niche Construction in Dynamic Human-Animal Landscapes: Bridging Ecological and Evolutionary Timescales

Human influence on the environment is evident at all landscape and ecological scales, from local to global, shaping both abiotic and biotic processes. Niche construction theory provides a means by which to investigate the consequences of these anthropogenic effects, but primatological research has been slow to integrate ecological and evolutionary timelines. We review methods that can be used to study how human niche construction influences nonhuman primates including phenological assessment, nonhuman primate behavioral observations, and ethnographic interview techniques. We argue that this approach provides a starting place to examine niche construction theory but that scholars of primate behavioral ecology must expand our methodologies to bridge the disconnect between ecological and evolutionary research time frames. We suggest areas of research and methods that have been underused but offer opportunities for integrative, innovative research. We conclude that an integrated, synthetic methodological approach is a major goal and that it will likely require a cross-disciplinary, collaborative effort.

THE INHERITANCE OF ISLAMIC EDUCATION VELUES THROUGH ORAL TRADITION OF PEURATEB ANEUK IN ACEH

The main problem in this research was how the inheritance of Islamic education values through oral peuratebaneuk tradition in Aceh. This study aimed to analyze deeply about the inheritance of Islamic education Values through the oral tradition of peurateb aneuk in Aceh. This ethnographic research used a qualitative approach with hermeneutical methods and descriptive analysis methods. The paradigm used was phenomenology. The sources of data, in this study consist of poetry singers and poems that have been documented. Data sources in this study were collected by using purposive sampling and Snowball Sampling. Data collection techniques used were literature review, non-participant observation techniques, ethnographic interview techniques, documentation techniques, and focus groups discussion (FGD) technique. The research instrument was the researcher herself (Human Instruments). It was supported by observation guides, interview guides, data recordings, note books. The data was analyzed by a hermeneutical method and descriptive analysis method. The result of the research shows that: 1. The values of Islamic education in the poetry of anauk in Aceh are: the value of aqidah education, the value of moral education, the value of social education, the value of worship education, the value of education struggle, 2. The process of inheriting the values of Islamic education through tradition Oral peurateb aneuk in Aceh was done through a. Lane: 1). Family, 2). Through the society, 3). Through the State. B. The culprit: 1). Family members, 2). Statesman, 3). Humanist 4). Aceh Traditional Assembly (MAA). 5). The research lecturers. C. The steps (methods) used by: 1). Stated by way of establishing patients, scheduling periodically festivals, incorporating in the curriculum as local content material in schools, promoting communities to carry out the oral tradition of peuratep aneuk 2). Society by carrying out the oral tradition of peurateb aneuk in homes. Follow the race events. 3). Families carry it out when they sleep child d. The material, contained in the lyrics of peurateb aneuk include 1). Aqidah (Faith), 2). Morals, 3).Worship, 4). Struggle. E. Media, which is used to pass the values of Islamic education through the oral tradition of peukanebaneuk there are two namely 1). Traditional media 2).Modern media. 3. A strong reason for the oral tradition of peurateb aneuk is still maintained because of a. As a medium of the transformation of Islamic education values. B. As an external cultural filtering, c. Historical local community, d. Strengthening local culture, e. Strengthening of literacy. 4. The contribution of oral peurateb tradition in Aceh to contemporary Islamic education, a. Theoretical Contribution: that is 1). Objectives, 2) Educators, 3).Learners, 4).A material, 5). Method. 6). Media. The six findings of this study are called pedagogic of peurateb aneuk. B. Practical contributions are 1). For educators, parents, teachers, and society. 2). For the government, set forth in: a). Qanun education. B). The curriculum at school. Key Words: Inheritance, Islamic Education Values, Oral Tradition, Peurateb Aneuk, Aceh

El papel de los síndromes culturales y los remedios tradicionales mexicanos en la promoción de salud de los niños

Purpose: To describe the context in which culture-bound syndromes that mothers of Mexican descent believed affected child wellness and describe how they restored health when these syndromes affected their children. Design: The findings of this come from a larger study that focused on the health promotion and protection practices used by mothers of Mexican descent in urban Texas A naturalistic design, using Spradley’s ethnographic interview techniques and participant observations, was selected to explore and describe the child health promotion and protection practices, including culture-bound syndromes, used by mothers of Mexican origin. Method: Data collection consisted of 21 ethnographic interviews enhanced by focused home observations with nine Spanish speaking mothers. Results: To these group of mothers, the culture-bound syndromes of empacho, fright and evil eye could affect children’s eating and sleep patterns, thereby causing an imbalance in a child’s wellbeing. Therefore the participants believed that they had be mindful of culture-bound syndromes that affected their children’s health and take care of those syndromes by using folk remedies to restore balance in their children’s’ wellbeing. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide an in-depth description of culture-bound syndromes and the folk remedies which mother of Mexican descent used to promote and protect the health of their preschool children. This knowledge provides a framework for healthcare professionals to use when working with mothers of Mexican descent who may be using folk healing to promote and protect the health of their children.

El papel de los síndromes culturales y los remedios tradicionales mexicanos en la promoción de salud de los niños

Purpose: To describe the context in which culture-bound syndromes that mothers of Mexican descent believed affected child wellness and describe how they restored health when these syndromes affected their children. Design: The findings of this come from a larger study that focused on the health promotion and protection practices used by mothers of Mexican descent in urban Texas A naturalistic design, using Spradley’s ethnographic interview techniques and participant observations, was selected to explore and describe the child health promotion and protection practices, including culture-bound syndromes, used by mothers of Mexican origin. Method: Data collection consisted of 21 ethnographic interviews enhanced by focused home observations with nine Spanish speaking mothers. Results: To these group of mothers, the culture-bound syndromes of empacho , fright and evil eye could affect children’s eating and sleep patterns, thereby causing an imbalance in a child’s wellbeing. Therefore the participants believed that they had be mindful of culture-bound syndromes that affected their children’s health and take care of those syndromes by using folk remedies to restore balance in their children’s’ wellbeing. Conclusion: The findings of this study provide an in-depth description of culture-bound syndromes and the folk remedies which mother of Mexican descent used to promote and protect the health of their preschool children. This knowledge provides a framework for healthcare professionals to use when working with mothers of Mexican descent who may be using folk healing to promote and protect the health of their children.

Assessment of Traffic Safety Training for Local Agency Technical Staff and Elected and Appointed Officials

This paper provides an overview of a study that investigated the impact of traffic safety training for two specific audiences in local agencies in Michigan: technical staff and elected and appointed officials. The impact of the training was assessed by measuring changes in attitudes and behavior with regard to traffic safety after both groups attended specialized training. The study was limited to local agencies in Michigan as a way to reduce the number of variables that could influence the outcome. Learning assessments, workshop evaluations, follow-up surveys, and innovative ethnographic interview techniques were used to verify learning and to detect changes in attitude and behavior. The study revealed significant positive attitudinal and behavior changes in both technical staff and elected and appointed officials that were attributed to what they learned in the training. The study indicates that there are significant benefits to traffic safety on local roads when local agency staff and elected and appointed officials are appropriately trained.

More Similar than Different? Exploring Cultural Models of Depression among Latino Immigrants in Florida

The Surgeon General's report, “Culture, Race, and Ethnicity: A Supplement to Mental Health,” points to the need for subgroup specific mental health research that explores the cultural variation and heterogeneity of the Latino population. Guided by cognitive anthropological theories of culture, we utilized ethnographic interviewing techniques to explore cultural models of depression among foreign-born Mexican (n = 30), Cuban (n = 30), Columbian (n = 30), and island-born Puerto Ricans (n = 30), who represent the largest Latino groups in Florida. Results indicate that Colombian, Cuban, Mexican, and Puerto Rican immigrants showed strong intragroup consensus in their models of depression causality, symptoms, and treatment. We found more agreement than disagreement among all four groups regarding core descriptions of depression, which was largely unexpected but can potentially be explained by their common immigrant experiences. Findings expand our understanding about Latino subgroup similarities and differences in their conceptualization of depression and can be used to inform the adaptation of culturally relevant interventions in order to better serve Latino immigrant communities.

The importance of human–macaque folklore for conservation in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia

AbstractThe emerging field of ethnoprimatology focuses on the conservation implications of ecological and cultural interconnections between humans and other primates. The ethnoprimatological research reported here examined how the Tonkean macaqueMacaca tonkeanais situated in the folklore of villagers in Lore Lindu National Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were collected using ethnographic interview techniques. The interviews revealed that villagers envision monkeys and humans as biologically, ecologically and culturally interrelated. The perceived cultural linkages between humans and macaques, however, are more salient among the indigenousTo Linduthan among migrants. For manyTo Linduthe folklore has resulted in a taboo that prevents them harming the macaques, despite the species’ frequent crop-raiding behaviour. The conservation significance of the taboo is therefore the local protection it affords this endemic primate. This research lends support for the incorporation of informal institutions, such as taboos, in the conservation management of protected areas.

Cohesion, Adhesion and Incoherence: Magazine Production with a Flickr Special Interest Group

Cohesion, Adhesion and Incoherence: Magazine Production with a Flickr Special Interest Group

Designing security systems: Changing the way we think

Today's world demands new ways of thinking about security solutions. The problem space is complex and ambiguous. Solutions must be multi-dimensional, incorporating not only technology, but the social, economic, political, and religious dynamics of a security intervention. A facilitator-led experiential training program was designed for our technical staff that leads them out of the box. The course design is based upon the theories of cognitive flexibility and situated cognition, and uses a socio-constructivist approach. Participants are led by a senior systems engineer/facilitator through a series of exercises in which they observe contextually relevant right way/wrong way videos, engage in critical thinking assessments about what they observed, and solve logic puzzles. Group interaction and problem-solving is emphasized. As in the real world, there is no one "right" solution. Outcomes can include a broader understanding of the threat space, creative solutions that enable survival in spite of an evolving enemy, and a deeper sense of the complex dynamics involved in any security decision. Training impact is being evaluated using a mixed qualitative/quantitative approach. Survey data combined with ethnographic interviewing techniques will determine whether participants have transferred their new understandings to the work environment.

Child Health Promotion and Protection Among Mexican Mothers

For numerous reasons, children of Mexican descent experience many health disparities. One strategy for addressing these disparities is to increase health promotion and protection behaviors that mothers use with their preschool children. Limited literature is available on such practices used by mothers of Mexican descent with their healthy preschool children. This study explored child health promotion and protection practices used by mothers of Mexican descent. A naturalistic design, guided by Spradley's ethnographic interview techniques, was selected for this study. The sample included 9 Mexican-descent mothers from an urban U.S. community with healthy preschool children. Despite significant challenges, participants promoted and protected the health of their preschool children by al cuidado (taking care) and by being al pendiente (being mindful) of balancing the health of their children's bodies, minds, and souls. Understanding these mothers' approaches allows the creation of culturally sensitive health programs that can build on existing maternal strengths.

‘Communication is everything I think.’ Parenting a child who needs Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Anecdotal and research evidence suggests that professionals may not fully understand the perspectives of families of children who need or use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). This may impact on the provision of appropriate services. The aim was to explore the lived experience of parents of children in Britain who used AAC, with particular emphasis on the ways in which children's need for and use of AAC impacts on family life and communication. The parents/carers of 11 children aged 3-10 years, who lived in Britain and who were in the early stages of using AAC, were recruited to take part in the study. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out in order to access rich descriptions of parents' experiences and views about having children who need to use AAC. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically to generate thematic networks. Analysis revealed three thematic networks. The three Global Themes represented by the networks were concerned with the following areas: the child's communication and interaction; wider societal issues; and parents' views and experiences. Each Global Theme contained lower order Organizational Themes and these in turn were comprised of Basic Themes. Parents shared many common concerns, but the data also revealed some diversity of views. The themes and sub-themes are described with illustrative and representative quotes. These parents are experts on their children and may also be experts on AAC. Many factors impact on parents and the level and type of involvement they have with their children and their upbringing. Speech and language therapists need to acknowledge parents' knowledge and expertise regarding their children. They need to recognize that there are parent, child, family and external factors which impact on parents' ability and willingness to be involved in speech and language therapist provision, and that these factors are not static over time. The use of ethnographic interviewing techniques should be considered a valuable aspect of speech and language therapist intervention.

The impact of corporate memory loss

PurposeThe author is a nursing management practitioner, whose purpose in writing this paper is twofold: to examine the impact of corporate memory loss on a health care institution, caused by increasing retirement rates of senior executives; and to use this research as an opportunity for action learning where both the author and the institution can benefit from the learning outcomes.Design/methodology/approachUsing qualitative research methods based on ethnographic interviewing techniques and grounded theory, the author interviews 12 senior executives from four diverse health care facilities. The purpose is to determine the point at which corporate memory loss, in the form of tacit knowledge in the heads of departing executives, becomes a problem for the institution.FindingsThe research determined that the requisite managerial competencies normally assumed for senior management positions are insufficient to minimize the negative impacts of corporate memory loss caused by departing senior executives. Effective knowledge management and knowledge transfer within the organization are fundamental for ongoing organizational effectiveness.Research limitations/implicationsThe research is limited to 12 senior executives. The grounded theory nature of the research provides a framework for more research in other institutions to test and further explore some of the findings.Practical implicationsOne of the most significant threats facing the majority of health care organizations related to the aging workforce is the greater number of staff who are retiring from all levels within the organization. The development of techniques to reducing the impact of corporate memory loss on the culture of an organization will increase its effectiveness, help build continuity, and provide a more secure footing for the workforce of the future.Originality/valueThe exit of knowledge workers is causing a major problem for Canada's health care organizations. This study throws more light on to this problem from the point of view of senior executives who have been specifically impacted by the problem of corporate memory loss.

Embodied Minds, Restless Spirits: Mid-Life Rural Women Speak of Their Health

ABSTRACT This manuscript explores mid-life women's views of corporeality and the links that these have to their health. Using ethnographic interview techniques, community based interviewers talked with 24 women from rural settings. Our findings suggest that mid-life women have an embodied view of their minds and spirits, and that dualism is generally reserved for thinking about and interacting with the bio-medical system. They have a sense of themselves as unique individuals who have a large role in caregiving, multiple other roles, and have luck but also agency in and control of their health and well-being. Motion was a strong theme throughout the interviews. Women embraced this mobility as a characteristic of their well-being as they coped with multiple changes associated with mid-life. In contrast to what some philosophers maintain, women seem to partner both corporeal changes and metaphor. While the sample was limited in scope, the findings support the importance to women's health of understanding the intersections between compositional and contextual variables in various settings.

Development of a consumer-driven Wheelchair Seating Discomfort Assessment Tool (WcS-DAT).

This study examined the concept of seating discomfort in a population of full-time wheelchair users with intact sensation. The goal was to construct a tool that would quantify seating discomfort experienced by wheelchair users. Ten participants were interviewed using ethnographic interview techniques. Data were analyzed using a cross-classifying matrix to examine commonalities among the 10 participants' responses. There were 16 discomfort and 13 comfort descriptors used by the participants. Of these, eight discomfort and five comfort descriptors were selected to include in the Wheelchair Seating Discomfort Assessment Tool (WcS-DAT). The discomfort descriptors selected were: aches and pains, need to move, pressure points, feeling poorly positioned, unable to concentrate, instability, not comfortable, and feeling too hot, cold or damp. The comfort descriptors selected were: absence of discomfort, feeling good, having no pain, able to concentrate, and feeling stable. The WcS-DAT also includes general information, such as the amount of time spent sitting and whether the individual was transferred into the chair properly--factors thought to affect discomfort--and ratings of discomfort intensity--in general and differentiated by body area. The WcS-DAT is a comprehensive tool for quantification of wheelchair seat discomfort for this population.

The sound of silence--nurses' non-verbal interaction within the ward round.

This study describes nurses' non-verbal interaction in the ward round within intensive care. Data were collected through participant observation, fieldwork notes and ethnographic interview techniques from eight intensive care nurses. This article focuses on the themes 'Being there', 'Knowing the script', 'Knowing what you want from the ward round' and 'Silencing and gaze', which emerged from the data. A key issue highlighted in this study is that nurses need to recognize their contribution to patient management decisions within the ward round. Drawing from the data, educational and training strategies are suggested to enhance collaborative practice in the clinical setting of intensive care.

Exogenous Factors and Visitor Behavior

This study provides quantitative conclusions regarding the impact of specific exogenous factors on exhibit viewing time in zoological parks and discusses implications for exhibit design. Three features distinguish this analysis from previous research concerning viewing time: (a) Data collection was preceded by extensive field work, to identify more than 50 variables with potential effects on viewing time; (b) the results of ethnographic interview techniques were combined with on-site observation and objective data to quantify and scale relevant variables; and (c) multiple regression techniques were used to quantify and test unique quantitative effects of independent variables on observed viewing time. The analysis compares recorded viewing times of 501 individuals across 10 exhibits at six zoological parks.

Reconstructing My Life: Becoming a Long-Term Survivor of AIDS

This naturalistic study reports the ways of becoming a long-term survivor of AIDS. Ethnographic interviewing techniques were used to interview a purposive sample of 14 men and 6 women who had AIDS for at least 3 years and who were living in the Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida, area. Part of a larger study on the phenomenon of surviving AIDS, the ways of becoming a long-term survivor are embedded within 5 dimensions that allowed participants to reconstruct their lives within the context of AIDS. The reconstructed life was a process supported by normalizing, focusing on living, taking care of oneself, being in relation to others, and triumphing. This study offers health care providers strategies to assist people in all stages of HIV disease to find health within the context of their illness.