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Total Categories: 5
Ethnography is primarily characterized as a quantitative research method centered on statistical analysis.
Answer: False
The source material indicates that ethnography is fundamentally a qualitative research method, focusing on in-depth understanding within specific contexts rather than broad statistical generalization.
Ethnography traditionally focuses on generalizing findings across large populations.
Answer: False
Ethnography traditionally emphasizes in-depth understanding of specific cultural contexts and practices, rather than generalizing findings across large, diverse populations. Its focus is often on the particular rather than the universal.
'Thick description,' as conceptualized by Clifford Geertz, involves a superficial account of observable behaviors without delving into their meanings.
Answer: False
'Thick description,' as conceptualized by Clifford Geertz, involves a detailed, contextualized interpretation of cultural actions and symbols, aiming to reveal layers of meaning rather than providing a superficial account.
Ethnography and ethnology are synonymous terms, both referring to the in-depth descriptive study of a single culture.
Answer: False
Ethnography and ethnology are distinct but related terms. Ethnography refers to the in-depth, descriptive study of a specific culture, typically based on fieldwork, while ethnology involves the comparative analysis of different cultures.
Ethnography is particularly adept at uncovering and analyzing the 'taken-for-granted' routines and assumptions that shape everyday life.
Answer: True
Ethnography excels at revealing and analyzing the implicit, 'taken-for-granted' routines, assumptions, and social norms that structure everyday life, often uncovering aspects that participants themselves may not consciously recognize.
The 'emic' perspective in ethnography represents the outsider's analytical framework used for objective description.
Answer: False
The 'emic' perspective in ethnography represents the insider's viewpoint, capturing the meanings and interpretations of cultural participants, whereas the 'etic' perspective is the outsider's analytical framework.
Ethnography's definition encompasses understanding cultural phenomena from the insider's viewpoint and examining behavior within specific social contexts.
Answer: True
Ethnography is defined by its commitment to understanding cultural phenomena from the insider's (emic) perspective and its focus on detailed examination of behavior within specific social and cultural contexts.
What is the fundamental definition of ethnography according to the provided text?
Answer: A branch of anthropology systematically studying cultures from the perspective of the people being studied.
Ethnography is fundamentally defined as a systematic anthropological study of cultures, emphasizing the perspective of the individuals within those cultures, and involving research into their behaviors and interpretations within specific social contexts.
What is a key characteristic of ethnographic research highlighted in the source?
Answer: It focuses on understanding the context of a situation rather than generalization.
A key characteristic of ethnographic research is its focus on understanding the specific context of a situation and the meanings embedded within it, rather than prioritizing generalization across populations.
What is the significance of 'thick description' in ethnographic interpretation, as described by Clifford Geertz?
Answer: A detailed, contextualized interpretation of cultural actions and symbols, revealing layers of meaning.
The significance of 'thick description,' as articulated by Clifford Geertz, lies in its capacity for detailed, contextualized interpretation of cultural actions and symbols, thereby revealing their complex layers of meaning.
How does ethnography differ from ethnology?
Answer: Ethnography studies specific cultures; ethnology compares cultures.
Ethnography focuses on the in-depth descriptive study of a single culture via fieldwork, whereas ethnology entails the comparative analysis of different cultures to identify patterns and generalizations, often utilizing ethnographic data.
Which of the following best describes the 'emic' perspective in ethnography?
Answer: The insider's view, capturing participants' meanings and interpretations.
The 'emic' perspective in ethnography represents the insider's viewpoint, focusing on capturing the meanings, interpretations, and cultural logic as understood by the participants themselves.
Which of the following is a key concept related to understanding cultural phenomena within their own context, often discussed in ethnography?
Answer: Cultural Relativism
Cultural Relativism is a key concept in ethnography, emphasizing the importance of understanding cultural phenomena within their own specific context and from the perspective of the people within that culture.
The term 'ethnography' is etymologically derived from the Greek words 'ethnos' (meaning 'people' or 'nation') and 'grapho' (meaning 'I write').
Answer: True
The etymological roots of 'ethnography' are the Greek words 'ethnos,' meaning 'people' or 'nation,' and 'grapho,' meaning 'I write,' reflecting its purpose of describing cultures.
Ethnography, as a distinct scientific discipline, originated during the ancient Greek period.
Answer: False
While ancient authors engaged in descriptive writing about peoples, ethnography as a formal scientific discipline emerged much later, primarily in the early twentieth century, with its conceptual roots developing in the eighteenth century.
Gerhard Friedrich Müller is credited with differentiating the study of peoples as a unique field of academic pursuit during the 18th century.
Answer: True
Gerhard Friedrich Müller, a key figure in the 18th century, is recognized for distinguishing the study of peoples (*Völker-Beschreibung*) as a unique field of academic inquiry, contributing to the conceptualization of ethnography.
Bronisław Malinowski's 'Argonauts of the Western Pacific' is considered a seminal ethnographic work in cultural and social anthropology.
Answer: True
Bronisław Malinowski's 'Argonauts of the Western Pacific' (1922) is widely regarded as a foundational and seminal text in the development of modern ethnographic practice and theory within cultural and social anthropology.
Clifford Geertz's interpretive anthropology shifted focus away from understanding cultural symbols and meanings.
Answer: False
Clifford Geertz's influential approach in interpretive anthropology significantly shifted the focus *towards* understanding cultural symbols, meanings, values, and worldview, emphasizing the analysis of cultural texts.
The publication 'Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography' significantly influenced sociocultural anthropology by reinforcing traditional claims of objective neutrality in ethnographic representation.
Answer: False
The seminal 1986 publication 'Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography' challenged traditional notions of objective neutrality, instead highlighting the complexities and politics inherent in ethnographic representation and writing.
The Chicago School of sociology primarily utilized quantitative methods like large-scale surveys for urban studies.
Answer: False
The Chicago School of sociology is renowned for its pioneering use of qualitative, ethnographic methods, including participant observation and in-depth case studies, to investigate urban life, rather than primarily quantitative methods like large-scale surveys.
The Chicago School sociologists, like W. E. B. Du Bois and William Foote Whyte, employed ethnographic methods to study urban life.
Answer: True
Prominent sociologists associated with the Chicago School, including W. E. B. Du Bois and William Foote Whyte, extensively utilized ethnographic methods to conduct seminal studies of urban life and social organization.
When did ethnography emerge as a distinct method of inquiry in social and cultural anthropology?
Answer: In the early twentieth century.
Ethnography emerged as a distinct method of inquiry in social and cultural anthropology during the early twentieth century, building upon earlier conceptual developments in the eighteenth century.
What is the etymological root of the word 'ethnography'?
Answer: Greek 'ethnos' (people) and 'grapho' (I write).
The term 'ethnography' is derived from the Greek words 'ethnos,' meaning 'people' or 'nation,' and 'grapho,' meaning 'I write,' reflecting its core purpose of describing cultures.
Which ancient author is most commonly recognized as a starting point for ancient ethnographic writing, according to the source?
Answer: Herodotus
Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian, is most commonly recognized as a foundational figure for early ethnographic writing due to his detailed accounts of various peoples and cultures in his 'Histories'.
Clifford Geertz is known for promoting which approach in ethnography?
Answer: Interpretive anthropology focusing on meaning and worldview.
Clifford Geertz is prominently associated with interpretive anthropology, an approach that emphasizes understanding cultural symbols, meanings, and worldview through detailed analysis.
The publication 'Writing Culture: The Poetics and Politics of Ethnography' (1986) is noted for:
Answer: Questioning claims of objective neutrality and highlighting representational challenges.
The publication 'Writing Culture' (1986) is noted for critically examining the politics and poetics of ethnographic representation, questioning claims of objective neutrality and highlighting the challenges inherent in writing about other cultures.
Which sociological school of thought extensively used ethnographic research, particularly in urban sociology?
Answer: The Chicago School
The Chicago School of sociology is widely recognized for its extensive use of ethnographic research, particularly in its pioneering studies of urban life and social phenomena.
The primary research method associated with ethnography is quantitative surveys.
Answer: False
The primary research method associated with ethnography is participant observation, which involves immersive engagement with the studied group to gather qualitative data, rather than quantitative surveys.
Reflexivity in ethnographic research involves the researcher actively examining their own influence and positionality within the research setting, rather than striving for complete detachment.
Answer: False
Reflexivity in ethnography entails the researcher critically assessing their own role, biases, and impact on the research process and findings, acknowledging that complete detachment is often unattainable and undesirable.
Informants in ethnographic research are typically selected randomly from the general population without prior knowledge of the community.
Answer: False
Ethnographic research typically selects informants based on their knowledge and familiarity with the community or specific cultural practices, often employing purposive or snowball sampling rather than random selection.
'Resocialization' in ethnographic fieldwork refers to the process where the researcher adopts aspects of the studied culture, not the other way around.
Answer: False
In ethnographic fieldwork, 'resocialization' describes the process by which the researcher, through immersion, begins to adopt some of the norms, values, and practices of the culture being studied, rather than the community adopting the researcher's.
Fieldwork in ethnography typically involves brief, infrequent visits to the research site.
Answer: False
Fieldwork in ethnography typically involves extended immersion and sustained presence within the community or setting being studied, rather than brief, infrequent visits.
The 'fly on the wall' metaphor accurately represents the achievable ideal of a completely detached ethnographic observer.
Answer: False
The 'fly on the wall' metaphor represents an ideal of detachment that is generally considered unattainable in ethnographic fieldwork, as the researcher's presence and participation inevitably influence the research setting and findings.
Participant observation allows ethnographers to gather detailed insights into social interactions by actively engaging in the setting being studied.
Answer: True
Participant observation is a core ethnographic method that enables researchers to gain deep, contextualized insights into social interactions and cultural practices through active engagement within the studied setting.
Which of the following is identified as the primary research method associated with ethnography?
Answer: Participant observation.
Participant observation is identified as the primary research method in ethnography, involving immersive engagement to understand social interactions and perspectives within their natural context.
How do ethnographers typically address researcher bias?
Answer: Through a practice known as 'reflexivity,' examining their own influence.
Ethnographers typically address researcher bias through the practice of reflexivity, which involves critically examining their own positionality, assumptions, and influence on the research process and findings.
What is 'resocialization' in the context of ethnographic fieldwork?
Answer: The researcher adopting some norms, values, and practices of the studied culture through immersion.
'Resocialization' in ethnographic fieldwork refers to the process where the researcher, through deep immersion and participation, begins to adopt certain norms, values, and practices of the culture being studied.
What is the central role of fieldwork in the ethnographic process?
Answer: Extended immersion within the community or setting to gather firsthand data.
The central role of fieldwork in ethnography is to facilitate extended immersion within the community or setting, enabling the researcher to gather firsthand, contextualized data through direct observation and participation.
The 'fly on the wall' metaphor in fieldwork suggests:
Answer: The ideal of complete detachment and unnoticed observation.
The 'fly on the wall' metaphor represents an ideal of complete detachment and unnoticed observation in ethnographic fieldwork, though scholars acknowledge its practical limitations.
Laurel Richardson proposed five criteria for evaluating ethnographic work, including substantive contribution and aesthetic merit.
Answer: True
Laurel Richardson proposed five criteria for evaluating ethnographic work: substantive contribution, aesthetic merit, reflexivity, impact, and expression of reality.
Gary Alan Fine argues that ethnographic research always adheres strictly to traditional, idealized ethical claims without deviation.
Answer: False
Gary Alan Fine posits that ethnographic research often navigates complex ethical dilemmas, suggesting that researchers may deviate from idealized ethical claims to gain deeper insights or maintain occupational reputation, sometimes involving approximations of truth.
The 'Classic Virtues' in ethnographic ethics, according to Fine, include being 'kindly,' 'friendly,' and 'honest,' which may sometimes involve concealing information or omitting critical details.
Answer: True
According to Gary Alan Fine, the 'Classic Virtues' in ethnographic ethics, such as being 'kindly,' 'friendly,' and 'honest,' can paradoxically involve concealing information or omitting details to foster rapport or achieve research objectives.
According to Gary Alan Fine, what is a common ethical dilemma in ethnographic research?
Answer: Researchers may engage in deception or approximations of truth to maintain occupational reputation or gain deeper insights.
Gary Alan Fine identifies a common ethical dilemma where researchers might employ deception or approximations of truth to preserve their occupational standing or achieve deeper research insights, challenging traditional ethical strictures.
What is a key ethical consideration highlighted by Gary Alan Fine regarding ethnographic research?
Answer: The potential for researchers to present idealized ethical claims.
A key ethical consideration highlighted by Gary Alan Fine is the potential for researchers to present idealized ethical claims, which may obscure the complex realities and compromises involved in ethnographic practice.
What does the 'Candid Ethnographer' concept, related to the 'Ethnographic Self', address?
Answer: The ethical complexity of presenting the researcher's personal positioning.
The 'Candid Ethnographer' concept, within the framework of the 'Ethnographic Self,' addresses the ethical complexities involved in presenting the researcher's personal positioning and subjectivity within the ethnographic account.
Institutional ethnography, developed by Dorothy E. Smith, focuses on studying the social relations that structure people's everyday lives.
Answer: True
Institutional ethnography, a theoretical and methodological framework developed by Dorothy E. Smith, investigates the social relations and organizational principles that shape individuals' everyday experiences and practices.
Ethnography gained traction in communication studies primarily in the late 19th century.
Answer: False
Ethnography gained significant traction in communication studies primarily in the mid-to-late 20th century, particularly from the 1960s and 1970s onwards, rather than the late 19th century.
In business and design, ethnography is used to understand consumer behavior primarily through focus groups and surveys.
Answer: False
In business and design, ethnography is employed to understand consumer behavior and product usage through direct observation in natural settings, which provides deeper insights than methods like focus groups or surveys alone.
Autoethnography is a method where the researcher uses their own life experiences as data to describe and critique cultural practices.
Answer: True
Autoethnography is a methodological approach where researchers utilize their personal experiences and self-reflection as primary data to analyze and critique broader cultural practices and social phenomena.
The genealogical method in ethnography focuses on analyzing the material culture and artifacts of a group.
Answer: False
The genealogical method in ethnography, originating with W. H. R. Rivers, primarily focuses on analyzing kinship ties determined by marriage and descent, rather than material culture.
Multispecies ethnography expands the focus of ethnographic study exclusively to human participants and their social structures.
Answer: False
Multispecies ethnography expands the scope of ethnographic study beyond human participants to include nonhuman entities, examining their interconnectedness with human social lives and cultures.
Relational ethnography focuses on studying fixed places and bounded groups rather than the processes and configurations of relationships.
Answer: False
Relational ethnography prioritizes the study of processes and configurations of relationships among agents and institutions, rather than focusing exclusively on fixed places or bounded groups.
Ethnography can be conducted in virtual or online environments, sometimes referred to as netnography or cyber-ethnography.
Answer: True
Ethnography has evolved to encompass virtual and online environments, with specialized terms like netnography or cyber-ethnography used to describe research conducted in digital spaces.
Ethnography has expanded beyond anthropology to be utilized in numerous other disciplines, including education, psychology, and urban planning.
Answer: True
The methodological utility of ethnography has extended significantly beyond its anthropological origins, finding application in diverse fields such as education, psychology, urban planning, communication studies, and business.
Autoethnography involves connecting personal experiences to broader cultural meanings and using self-reflection to critique cultural practices.
Answer: True
Autoethnography is characterized by the researcher's connection of personal experiences to wider cultural, social, and political contexts, employing self-reflection as a critical tool for analyzing cultural practices.
Digital technology has enhanced ethnography by enabling the study of online interactions and improving data analysis capabilities.
Answer: True
Digital technology has significantly enhanced ethnographic research by facilitating the study of online interactions and communities, and by improving data analysis through advanced computational tools and multimedia integration.
Multispecies ethnography broadens the scope of study to include the interconnectedness of nonhuman entities with human social lives and cultures.
Answer: True
Multispecies ethnography extends ethnographic inquiry beyond human subjects to investigate the complex interrelationships between humans and nonhuman entities, examining their mutual influence on social lives and cultures.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a field where ethnography is utilized?
Answer: Astrophysics
While ethnography is widely applied across numerous disciplines including sociology, education, business, and urban planning, it is not typically utilized in fields such as astrophysics, which rely on different methodologies.
Dorothy E. Smith developed which specific ethnographic approach?
Answer: Institutional Ethnography
Dorothy E. Smith is credited with developing Institutional Ethnography, an approach that examines the social relations structuring everyday life and institutional practices.
How is ethnography applied in business and product development according to the source?
Answer: By understanding consumer behavior and product usage in natural settings to improve user experience.
In business and product development, ethnography is applied to understand consumer behavior and product usage within naturalistic settings, thereby identifying opportunities to enhance user experience and product design.
What does the 'embrace of the personal' refer to in the context of autoethnography, as defined by Adams et al.?
Answer: Connecting personal experiences to broader cultural, political, and social meanings.
The 'embrace of the personal' in autoethnography, as articulated by Adams et al., signifies the practice of connecting individual experiences to wider cultural, political, and social meanings, thereby critiquing cultural practices.
The genealogical method in ethnography, originating with W. H. R. Rivers, was crucial for understanding what aspect of non-industrial societies?
Answer: Their kinship ties determined by marriage and descent.
The genealogical method in ethnography, pioneered by W. H. R. Rivers, primarily focuses on analyzing kinship ties determined by marriage and descent, which was crucial for understanding social structures in non-industrial societies.
What distinguishes multispecies ethnography from traditional ethnography?
Answer: It expands the focus beyond human participants to include nonhuman entities and their interconnectedness.
Multispecies ethnography distinguishes itself from traditional ethnography by broadening the scope of study to include nonhuman entities and examining their intricate interconnectedness with human social lives and cultures.
Relational ethnography prioritizes the study of:
Answer: Processes and configurations of relationships among agents and institutions.
Relational ethnography prioritizes the study of processes and configurations of relationships among various agents and institutions, rather than focusing solely on fixed places or bounded groups.
How has digital technology impacted ethnography?
Answer: It has enabled the study of online interactions and enhanced data analysis through multimedia and AI.
Digital technology has significantly impacted ethnography by enabling the study of online interactions and communities, and by enhancing data analysis capabilities through multimedia tools and artificial intelligence.
What is the primary purpose of ethnography in business and product development?
Answer: To understand how consumers *actually* use products in real-world settings.
The primary purpose of ethnography in business and product development is to understand how consumers *actually* use products and services in their real-world settings, providing insights that go beyond self-reported data.