Ethnography the basics, a beginners guide to ethnographic methods in PhD and masters degree research

Learn the basics of ethnography in this beginners guide for PhD and masters degree research students. In this video, I demystify ethnography and shed light on its importance, process, and unique challenges.
From discovering where the word 'ethnography' comes from, to learning all the ins and outs of an ethnographic research project, by the time you get to the end of the video, you'll be much more confident in your understanding of this approach and a bit clearer on whether or not it's something you want to explore in your own PhD or masters degree research.
We'll explore what it means to be immersed in the social group you're studying, and how to enhance your chances of gaining access to that group in the first place. We'll also consider how you can maximise your chances of being accepted by your participants once you do get in! I'll share my insights on dealing with key informants, maintaining consistency, and fostering positive relationships.
I'll go into some of the issues that emerge around keeping ethnographic fieldnotes and consider how best to bring your ethnography to a close without perturbing your participants through vanishing into thin air!
Whether you're a budding researcher or simply curious about ethnography, this video provides a comprehensive guide, combining theoretical understanding with practical tips.
Please drop your questions in the comments!
Chapters
0:00 - 0:24 Introduction and overview
0:25 - 2:07 What is ethnography?
2:08 - 6:13 Getting access
6:14 - 8:26 Your presence in the field
8:27 - 10:17 Fieldnotes and why they matter
10:18 - 11:36 Exiting the field, how to do it well
11:37 - 11:52 Conclusion
// Other helpful videos //
Qualitative research - core principles • Qualitative research t...
How to write up qualitative data • Qualitative Research F...
How to be reflective and reflexive • What's the difference ...
Do THIS in your methods chapter! • PhD Research Methods C...
PhD literature review - 3 things you NEED to know! • The PhD Literature Rev...
Imposter Syndrome! How to deal with it • Imposter Syndrome in P...
// See my videos BEFORE anyone else does! //
For early access to my videos and whole load of other cool things, become a Degree Doctor channel member! www.youtube.com/@DegreeDoctor...
// Studies mentioned in the video //
William Foot Whyte’s 1955 study of street corner life in the city of Boston www.amazon.co.uk/Street-Corne...
James Patrick’s 1973 study of a violent Glasgow gang www.google.co.uk/books/editio...
Anthony Lloyd’s 2012 research as an employee of a call centre in Middlesbrough bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/...
Khan’s 2011 research at an elite US high school whilst working as a teacher press.princeton.edu/books/pap...
Pearson’s 2012 ethnography of Manchester United fans manchesteruniversitypress.co....
// 25 cheat phrases for your PhD literature review //
Got writer's block? Don't worry, I have 25 sentence starter cheat phrases to help get you unstuck, grab the free PDF here www.thedegreedoctor.com/25-li...
// PhD Survival Guides //
Check out my step by step guides for PhD success, covering every chapter of your thesis! Use code KZread15 for 15% off! www.thedegreedoctor.com/phd-s...

Пікірлер: 24

  • @SusanDBlum
    @SusanDBlum22 күн бұрын

    I just sent this to some students who are doing ethnographic work this summer. Thank you so much for your brief+thorough introduction! The sweet spot!

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    22 күн бұрын

    Aww, that’s amazing! I hope they find it helpful! 🤓

  • @jaylenephilemonoff7010
    @jaylenephilemonoff701018 күн бұрын

    Thank you for this, I'm struggling with my own Ethnography for a Sociology class, and this has helped immensely.

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    18 күн бұрын

    You’re very welcome! I’m so pleased it was helpful!

  • @pixiwix
    @pixiwix4 ай бұрын

    I just submitted my research proposals for an ethnographic study for my PhD. I only submitted two queries and both were successful. I'm now panicking a little because it went from being hypothetical to real very quickly! This helped calm me down quite a bit, thank you! I'd greatly appreciate a video on online ethnography fwiw...

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    4 ай бұрын

    Congratulations on your successful research proposals! I hope you are celebrating this weekend! I'll certainly do an online ethnography video soon but in the meantime, check out Chapter 13 of Carol Grbich's book, "Qualitative Data Analysis: An introduction". That chapter is all about cyberethnography and e-research so it will certainly be helpful.

  • @pixiwix

    @pixiwix

    4 ай бұрын

    @@DegreeDoctor thank you so much for the suggestion, I'll check it out! My celebrating this weekend involves even more research, so I'll add that to my list for sure. Thanks for providing such helpful information and content - it's greatly appreciated. I'm the first in my family to go to college at all let alone to get a PhD, so guidance like this has been pivotal for me. ❤️

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    4 ай бұрын

    It's a pleasure to be part of your journey! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or queries :-)

  • @alinacarstea79
    @alinacarstea793 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for this video

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    3 ай бұрын

    You are so welcome!

  • @solihinmohe7737
    @solihinmohe7737Ай бұрын

    Thank you very much for this insightful explanation. You mentioned about online ethnography. Would you please explain as well about that?

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    Ай бұрын

    Yes, I will definitely do so soon, thanks for commenting! In the meantime, you might want to check out the 2019 book, "The Routledge Companion to Digital Ethnography" as there are some useful pointers in there.

  • @vafahakimi3823
    @vafahakimi38233 ай бұрын

    Thank you so much for this!!! I am two months into an 'accidental' ethnographic research study (I only say accidental because I came into the site as a volunteer and only later decided to blend it with my masters thesis). I have done a bit of reading, but I'm overwhelmed by how much there is. Could you recommend any books that have been key to your understanding and experiences of ethnography? (And by any chance are you familiar with literature around ethnography in Social Work?)

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    3 ай бұрын

    The best research is often the accidental stuff! Great to see you're doing an ethnographic study for your masters! I'm not familiar with social work ethnographies specifically, but I can recommend these general books about the topic: Atkinson, P. (2007). _Ethnography: Principles in practice_ . Routledge. Coffey, A., Atkinson, P., Delamont, S., Lofland, J., & Lofland, L. (2004). _The handbook of ethnography_ . Sage. Madden, R. (2022). _Being ethnographic: A guide to the theory and practice of ethnography_ . Sage. All the best with your study, I hope it goes well!

  • @vafahakimi3823

    @vafahakimi3823

    3 ай бұрын

    @@DegreeDoctor You are an absolute star! Thank you!

  • @katrinastobie3324
    @katrinastobie33245 ай бұрын

    Any chance you could do phenomenology?

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    5 ай бұрын

    YES! You’re not the first person to ask for a phenomenology video so there will be one soon! Is there anything specifically you’d like me to focus on?

  • @katrinastobie3324

    @katrinastobie3324

    5 ай бұрын

    The same as what you did here? What it means? How is it different from ethnography? What are the data collection method

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    5 ай бұрын

    Great, will do! Watch this space!

  • @peyxander
    @peyxander4 ай бұрын

    Do you have to have a masters or phd to conduct these studies?

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    4 ай бұрын

    Technically no, but you would need to go through an ethical approval process to do this kind of research at any level. So, if you’re an undergrad, that might not be easy but if you want to do ethnographic research, go for it! There aren’t enough ethnographic studies happening right now!

  • @thegamejournalist24
    @thegamejournalist24Ай бұрын

    what is difference between ethnography research and field research

  • @DegreeDoctor

    @DegreeDoctor

    Ай бұрын

    Ethnographic research is a type of field research, where researchers immerse themselves in a particular culture or community to understand its dynamics and behaviors. Ethnographic methods might involve in-depth observation, interviews, and participant observation. On the other hand, field research encompasses a broader range of research, which may include ethnography but also other methods such as surveys or experiments. In essence, ethnography is a specialised form of field research focused on understanding specific cultures or social groups.

  • @thegamejournalist24

    @thegamejournalist24

    Ай бұрын

    @@DegreeDoctor but there defination is a lot similar and you have cleared degree doctor . Thank YOu