Ethnographic Framework Research Articles

Sharing Collections and Sharing Stories

AbstractAs archaeology has evolved, partnerships between private collectors and archaeologists have ebbed and flowed. This article contributes to a growing body of work dedicated to recognizing the contributions of the collecting community, with a focus on maintaining reciprocal models for long-term collaborations. This research article argues that for these collaborative efforts to progress, archaeologists must operate through an archaeological ethnographic lens that fosters work in partnership and generative dialogues. Utilizing ethics from the Society for American Archaeology's “Statement on Responsible and Responsive Stewards of the Past” (Society for American Archaeology 2018), an undergraduate student and private collector partnered to retroactively document an artifact collection collected over 60 years in Colorado's San Luis Valley. This article is distinct, however, in that it centers the research methods, offering a pragmatic example of utilizing an archaeological ethnographic framework alongside collaborative inquiry and oral history methodologies. The partnership cultivated within the research team opened a new line of inquiry into the collector's past collaborations with professionals, revealing a variety of informative and illuminating stories. As the academic discourse widens, incorporating such stories into the canon will improve collaborations and foster networks of partners to create sustainable long-term collaborations that ultimately lead to greater understanding of and care for the material past.

Play, create, transform: a pluriverse of children and childhoods from southern Mozambique

This article discusses the understanding of children as sociocultural beings and active agents in three communities in southern Mozambique as part of doctoral research from 2014�2018. This research study aimed to understand play as comprising meaningful activities for children and examine the possibilities for transformation and reinterpretation of possible worlds. An ethnographic framework was used drawing on methods such as participant observation, photographs, videos, informal conversations, and open interviews. Through the scenes observed, all of which foreground play, this paper addresses the relationship between children and waste materials and production of toys, their involvement with landscapes and the environment, and their role in the production of knowledge and data through the use of photography. As final considerations, the article reflects on the future of childhood studies and new decolonialised perspectives that consider children and their contexts, classes, ethnicities, and gender.

Discovering effective requirements elicitation techniques using a multivocal ethnographic framework

Effective requirements elicitation (RE) interviews are vital to the success of information systems development. Unfortunately, the factors that lead to effective RE interviews are often vaguely and contentiously delineated. In this paper, we describe our development and use of a multivocal, ethnographic framework employed to discover a rich set of critical success factors for effective RE interviews. Our interpretive framework emphasises performance ethnography along with other ethnographic techniques that are rigorously described and used to yield practical results. We then discuss and elaborate on our relevant findings that include eight critical success factors and practical lessons learned. We close with a discussion of our work and its place within the larger context of RE research in the information systems field.

Between the Minor and the Intimate: Encountering the Authoritarian (Extra)ordinary in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine

ABSTRACT Through an investigation of authoritarian encounters in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, this paper takes seriously the challenges of making geopolitical sense of contextualised micro moments. Working in a minor key, the paper offers three contributions. First, it advances a minor theory, micropolitical sensibility that interrogates the co-constitution of intimate and geopolitical scales. Second, it proposes a loose ethnographic framework to guide the analysis of ordinary moments, link them outside of the immediate, and make fuller sense of the geopolitical: rupture, digestion, connection, and representation. Third, it aspires to destabilise regional container thinking and Orientalising tendencies through a focus on authoritarian practices rather than authoritarian states. Overall, the paper foregrounds a minoritarian reading of the micro-dynamics of authoritarian encounter in order to enrich the conversation on the constitution of the geopolitical, while also offering an intimate and interconnected methodology that encourages critical, safe, and ethical research under authoritarian conditions.

Un approccio ecologico cognitivo alla presenza scenica nelle arti della performance

The concept of stage presence in performing arts is generally understood as the ability of the skilled performer to capture the attention of the audience, a prerogative of the talented actor, who occupies a position of power in respect to the audience. This work challenges the classic model of stage presence as an intrinsic quality of the performer and proposes instead a cognitive ecological ethnographic framework which considers the role played by various social actors — the public and the performers, embedded in specific historical, cultural, and social environments — in shaping the performance event. Through an ethnographic and phenomenological analysis of the concept of stage presence in different performative contexts, this work proposes a cognitive ecological approach to the study of stage presence, suggesting possible methodological directions.

Critical Ethnography as an Archival Tool

Due to the limitations of existing archival theories and methodologies, there are few clear options that allow underrepresented and marginalized communities to represent themselves ethically, faithfully, and responsibly in their own voices in mainstream archival institutions. As a result, many of these communities lack knowledge and fundamental pedagogical resources about themselves and their history in Canada. Based on research from the author’s one-year master’s degree, this article uses a critical ethnographic framework and oral history interviews to understand the archival needs of a segment of the Afghan diaspora that has long been settled in Canada. The Afghan Canadian participants agreed that digital archives could provide a solution to the community’s dearth of knowledge and material about itself – its own histories and stories. The research demonstrates that a critical ethnographic framework can be applied as an instrument in the archives in order to understand the desires, identity-formation processes, and representations of a marginalized community to ensure faithful archival representation.

Spatial Components Guidelines in a Face-to-Face Seating Arrangement for Flexible Layout of Autonomous Vehicles

Fully autonomous vehicles are not yet available for consumers to experience; however, as experts predict they will be ready for the consumer market in the not-too-distant future, it is important to consider the spatial design of such vehicles. As the interior of a vehicle is a confined space, it is important to design a flexible layout in different aspects of the overall space. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the relationships among various elements related to the use of space in a face-to-face seating arrangement. Using mock-up, observational surveys, questionnaires, and the think-aloud research method within an ethnographic observation framework, we conducted experiments on three study participants who were aware of the changing concept of autonomous vehicles. One of the key findings of our analysis is that various activities and actions can occur in a face-to-face seating arrangement. It is important to recognize that face-to-face seating arrangements are not just to facilitate conversation but can be seen as an environment in which each passenger can conduct other in-vehicle activities individually. Based on these findings, we recommend that needs for activities be considered when designing spatial components in a face-to-face seating arrangement.

The Worldview of Malay Youths in the Virtual World of Second Life: The Real-World Escapism

This qualitative study investigated the worldview of a group of Malaysian Malay youths known as SL1Malaysia in the virtual world of Second Life, spanning more than two years from 2012 to the present. Kozinet’s model of Netnography within the ethnographic framework was used to describe the online communities or groups in the virtual world, where people are represented by avatars. Data were collected via online interviews with participants selected from the SL1Malaysia group based on two a priori criteria. These participants consisted of six active, closely-knitted, loyal members inhabiting the virtual environment of Second Life. The worldview elements contributing to the real-world escapism were examined through the representation of the participants’ senses, thoughts, and actions via their avatars. The participants listed several reasons leading to real-world escapism, such as relief of real-life stress, neglecting real-life responsibilities, and obsession, among others. There is an urgent need for us to further ascertain the influence of the virtual platform on the construction of alternative worldviews among the Malay youths in Malaysia.

Institutional routines and interpersonal conflicts among elderly in a Long-Term Care Facility.

To describe the influence of institutional routines on interpersonal conflicts among institutionalized elderly women. A qualitative study, with an ethnographic framework, performed with 17 elderly women in a Long-Term Care Facility. The field immersion occurred from August 2017 to May 2018. The data were produced by participant observation and fieldnotes and analyzed through the sociocultural perspective with theoretical tools related to the total institutions described by Erving Goffman. External bonds outside the institution and the routines were trigger factors of conflicts in the Long-Term Care Facility. The dissatisfaction with the lack of external bonds was noticed in the impossibility of leaving with family members, receiving visits, objects, money, foods, or attention. The standardization and collectivization of internal routines of basic activities generated dissatisfaction and challenged the elderly women's tolerance towards the norms. Such situations facilitated interpersonal conflicts in the institutional environment. The conflicts occurred among elderly women and professionals, and among them, from the insubordination of the elderly, based on the idea of reaffirming their individualities.

The Use of Ethnography in Maternity Care

While the value of ethnography in health research is recognized, the extent to which it is used is unclear. The aim of this review was to map the use of ethnography in maternity care, and identify the extent to which the key principles of ethnographies were used or reported. We systematically searched the literature over a 10-year period. Following exclusions we analyzed 39 studies. Results showed the level of detail between studies varied greatly, highlighting the inconsistencies, and poor reporting of ethnographies in maternity care. Over half provided no justification as to why ethnography was used. Only one study described the ethnographic approach used in detail, and covered the key features of ethnography. Only three studies made reference to the underpinning theoretical framework of ethnography as seeking to understand and capture social meanings. There is a need to develop reporting guidelines to guide researchers undertaking and reporting on ethnographic research.

AKTIVITAS BUDAYA SEKOLAH BERBASIS KARAKTER IKHWANUL MUSLIMIN (STUDI ETNOGRAFI PADA SIT BINA ILMI PALEMBANG)

This paper describes, analyzes and interprets cultural activities developed at SIT Bina Ilmi Palembang to later discover the concept of Integrated Islamic School culture that can shape student characters. This research was a case study in an ethnographic framework. The research informants were the director of SIT Bina Ilmi, school principals, teachers, students, librarians, school assistants, canteen traders, the parents of students and the residents around the school determined previously by purposive sampling. The data were collected by having observation, interview and documentation techniques. The data were then analyzed by combining the Creswell model and Mathew and Hubermen, namely by performing three stages namely, data reduction (date reduction), data display (date display) / description, and interpretation/verification of data. To check the validity of the data, triangulation, member chacking and extension of the observation were carried out. The results showed that the school cultural activities developed at this SIT were routine activities: which included: (1) classroom learning processes (2) extra-curricular activities: Islamic personal development (3) social activities in the community: visits to orphanages, social service and munāṡoroh. Through the school culture it is hoped that the established educational goals will be achieved which are adaptations of the Ikhwanul Muslimin's muwashofat concepts, namely religious worship, matinul khuluq, mutsaqquful fikri, mujahadatun linafsihi, nafi'un lighoirihi. Finally, the findings of this research are the Ikhwanul Muslimin concept which is the basis of the cultural development of SIT Bina Ilmi Palembang.

The Loss of Cultural and Language Identity by Black South Africans Due To Industrialisation/Urbanisation.

Over the past century, there has been a dramatic increase in establishing a powerful link between language and sociocultural identity, as language also gives individuals and groups their identity. Certain concepts, which has been developed in a specific language, tell us about the culture in which a language is used. Language can be perceived to be more social in nature as it has a deep-rooted connection with its users and creators, thus making it difficult to separate the two. In view of the preceding contention, the study is aimed at, identifying the implications of industrialisation on urban black families and their language usage in South Africa. Specifically perusing, the extend industrialisation has disadvantaged/ diluted black languages, cultures and identities. And discover ways to re-energise black languages, cultures and identities in South Africa. The investigation was conducted within the framework of ethnography underpinned by qualitative research method used to collect data. Interviews and fieldwork (observations) as well as supporting documents from literature material were also used to collect and analyse data. The population comprised of three (3) members from the eight (Sesotho, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, IsiNdebele, Setswana, Sepedi, Xitsonga, Tshivenda) black cultural groups in South Africa, native speakers in the Gauteng province and Free State province of South Africa. Findings revealed that language and culture has lost its value in black urban families, as there is no space for it in their current urban setting. Suggesting that a new lifestyle has been created that has limited usage of their own cultural values, norms and believe systems and that the youth is not interested in their cultural language. Keywords: language, culture, identity, industrialisation, families.

The creative economy: an ethnographic framework for handcrafts in the Alto Solimões region of the Brazilian Amazon

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to draw on concepts from the creative economy literature to present a proposal for conceptualizing the creative industries from the perspective of the ideas underlying the concepts of industrial districts and the triple helix. The analysis lays out the foundations with a review of the literature on the creative economy and builds upon them with the terminology of creative industries and industrial districts.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis lays out the foundations with a review of the literature on the creative economy and builds upon them with the terminology of creative industries and industrial districts. A three-dimensional representation is developed, from a perspective in which the three dimensions comprise university, creative industries and government, combined with seven underlying factors that define the archetypal framework from the perspective of the creative economy of the region's handcrafts.FindingsWorking from the principal of an analysis of underlying factors, the paper presents an ethnographic study of the potentials and obstacles present in the handcrafts sector and delineates the work that remains to be done to enable construction of a creative economy.Originality/valueA prominent possibility based on the ethnographic study of the potentials listed, the creative economy of the handicraft sector is underexplored in the Amazon. Based on the Amazon heritage of the people in the Alto Solimões region, future prospects such as establishment of guilds, clusters and internationalization of production in a tourism association represent sui generis potentials for the economic development of the Alto Solimões region of the Brazilian Amazon.

‘Insighters’: the complexity of qualitative methods in youth music research

ABSTRACT In this article, I sketch out the rationale for utilising a reflexive and intersectional ‘insighter’ ethnography in youth research. I argue that because of the dynamic and complex nature of a youth music field such as punk, enquiry into young people’s scenes and spaces requires rigorous consideration at the beginning, middle and end stages of research. I understand such a methodology to be an ongoing reflexive dialogue, one that continues in the ‘writing up’ phase. Using the example of queer punx, I explain the selection of a semi-structured interview format, participant observation and ethnographic framework for data collection. Furthermore, I suggest that an insider position to the research group might be better reconceptualised through the term ‘insighter’. That term locates the researcher in a more flexible position between absolute insider and academic interpreter of data. Taking up an insighter position on the queer punx project afforded rich possibilities which would have been unachievable for an outsider or a pure insider researcher. Yet the ‘insighter’ position requires ongoing reflexive boundary work to negotiate the complex meaning of being inside as an academic researcher.

Māori Gender Non-conforming Identity: Analysing the ‘Takatāpui’ Discourse

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the process of reconstruction of Māori postcolonial cultural identity in the twenty-first century which also passes through the reclamation and redefinition of ‘takatāpui’ notion. ‘Takatāpui’ is an umbrella term that nowadays indicates all the Māori with non-conformingwairua(spiritualities, gender identities), sexualities and sex characteristics. It is a culturally specific word which represents a form of intersectionality by identifying people as both Māori and queer.As a consequence of the increasing spread of the Internet, which has become a virtual place to construe identity and to promote the dissemination of ideas, a Multimodal Discourse Analysis is conducted on a corpus comprising 10 audiovisual texts fully retrieved from the web and exclusively produced by Māori takatāpui activists and/or containing Māori takatāpui activists’ self-narratives or claims.The corpus is analysed by applying a MMDA (Multimodal Discourse Analysis) framework based on Kress and van Leeuwen’s social semiotic framework (2006). The analysis is conducted also by taking into account Blommaert’s linguistic and ethnographic framework (2014).The findings of the analysis show the different strategies through which Māori identities are construed and conveyed reinforcing what the Māori scholar, Tuhiwai Smith (1999. Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Dunedin: Zed Books Limited, 28), calls “a very powerful need to give testimony to and restore a spirit, to bring back into existence a world fragmenting and dying”.

Homeless persons and villages: drugs, social marginalization, and territory of care.

to recognize villages as territories of care and daily resistance to social marginalization. a descriptive study with a qualitative approach based on the methodological framework of ethnography inspired by Interpretative Anthropology. Two-year field research (from the second half of 2015 to the first half of 2017). Participant observation and semi-structured interviews with four privileged interlocutors and a field diary have been used. Data systematization was carried out throughout field work. three categories emerged: Interlocutors talking about their life in villages; Villages as a care device; and Drugs in villages. the results reveal the challenge for health and nursing to recognize the need to understand the contexts of urban life of homeless persons. Nurses need to include cultural elements in their work processes, promoting bonding and understanding the ways of life of homeless persons.

Discourse as a language contact phenomenon: evidence from Mexican-American bilinguals

This article is the result of a study conducted within the theoretical framework of ethnography of communication. One of the main purposes of this study was to examine discourse strategies among Mexican-American bilinguals residing in the Los Angeles area. The examination of strategies used in oral and written conversations demonstrates the existence of numerous stylistic features. Mexican-American bilingual discourse is characterized by the use of code-switching, culturally-motivated borrowings from English and, in general, the dominance of the English language in conversation. Undoubtedly, these discursive phenomena stem from socioeconomic and cultural forces and the prestige of English as the dominant linguistic system of the American society.

Healthcare professionals' perceptions of the implementation of the transitional discharge model for community integration of psychiatric clients.

Research has demonstrated the benefits of mental healthcare interventions that ensure a safe transition of clients throughout the discharge and community integration process. This paper reports on qualitative data from focus groups with health professionals collected as part of a larger a mixed method study designed to examine the effectiveness and sustainability of implementing the transitional discharge model. Data collection involved two sets of focus groups, which were held at six months and one-year post-implementation. There were 216 health professional participants from nine (9) hospitals across the Province of Ontario, Canada. Data analysis used a four-step ethnographic framework by Leininger (1985) to identify descriptors and recurrent and major themes. The study identified four major themes, including healthcare professionals' roles and positive experiences in implementing the transitional discharge model; perceived benefits of the model; challenges to implementing the model; and suggestions for sustaining the model's implementation. Healthcare professionals felt that the implementation of the transitional discharge model has the potential for increasing their awareness of the process of clients' integration, serving as a framework for discharge planning, and reducing hospital readmissions. The study findings may provide healthcare providers with information on pragmatic ways to plan clients' discharge, to bridge the gap between hospital and community care, and to positively impact client health outcomes.

Utopia Digital: Non-governmental organizations and the making of consumers in Brazil’s “New Middle Class” shantytowns

This article examines how class, consumerism, and employment influence beliefs of an idealized digital world in marginalized communities. I recount 24 months of ethnographic and institutional observation in a non-governmental organization that promoted the concept of “ utopia digital” (digital utopia in Portuguese) in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas (shantytowns). This corporate-funded non-governmental organization employed members of Brazil’s traditional middle class and promoted the liberating potentials of digital inclusion to members of a “New Middle Class” made up of 35 million “previously poor” Brazilians. Interviews with middle-class employees reveal how ideas of digital utopia act as a code for corporate efforts to encourage consumerism among the New Middle Class and bolster employment opportunities for members of Brazil’s traditional middle class. Reflecting on informal conversations, I also highlight a middle-class “crime talk” that frames the favela as an inherently violent place and, in contrast to their inclusionary work related to digital utopia, encourages non-governmental organization workers to physically avoid favela space. I use Zygmunt Bauman’s discussion of an “active” or “hunter” utopia as an ethnographic lens to discuss the practical and everyday experiences of technological inclusion in classed settings. By describing digital utopias as actively shaped by everyday understandings of urban exclusion and privilege, this article provides an ethnographic framework for decoding the socially reproductive nature of class-inflected consumer interventions in marginalized communities.

Perceptions of War Trauma and Healing of Marital Relations Among Torture-surviving Congolese Couples Participating in Multicouple Therapy.

Citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) experienced widespread torture during national wars between 1998 and 2003. Couples who survived and stayed intact suffered tremendous relationship stress. This study used a critical ethnography framework to explore the prewar, wartime, and postwar experiences of 13 torture-surviving couples who participated in a 10-session Torture-Surviving Couple Group in 2008 in the DRC. The group was designed to address the relational effects of torture and war trauma. Participants reported profound negative effects of the war on their relationships; mostly positive experiences during the group, including marital and peer connection and relationship growth; and a number of improvements in their relationship after the group. Implications include support for the use of relational interventions informed by both treatments for traumatic stress and couple approaches to promote trauma healing. Future directions call for increased funding, research, training, and clinical action to treat the effects of traumatic stress on relational family dynamics.