Writing the New Ethnography (Ethnographic Alternatives) [Paperback]

H. L., Jr. Goodall (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 19, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0742503399 | ISBN-13: 978-0742503397

Writing the New Ethnography provides a foundational understanding of the writing processes associated with composing new forms of qualitative writing in the social sciences. Goodall's distinctive style will engage and energize students, offering them provocative advice and exercises for turning qualitative data and field notes into compelling representations of social life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Everyone who writes ethnography, old and new, should read Writing the New Ethnography. The book demystifies the writing process in a very honest way, and I know I'll require it the next time I teach my ethnography class. (Nick Trujillo )

About the Author

H. L. Goodall is Professor and Head of the Hugh Downs School of Communication at Arizona State University. He is the author or co-author of 17 books including his groundbreaking ethnographic trilogy: Casing a Promised Land, Living in the Rock n' Roll Mystery and Divine Signs: Connecting Spirit to Community.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Altamira Press (January 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0742503399
• ISBN-13: 978-0742503397
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #198,813 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a To Do Book - More a Book on Being, November 11, 2003

By 

Andrew F. Herrmann (Granite City, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing the New Ethnography (Ethnographic Alternatives) (Paperback)

Bud Goodall's book is probably the most important work that I have read the entire time I have been in school. Why? Bud writes in a clear, yet soothing voice, clarifying concepts, not in dictionary-like language, but through his ease of story-telling, narrative and analysis. He covers the whole range of concepts regarding not 'how to do ethnography,' but 'how to be an ethnographer.'

He takes on the hard topics. He talks plainly about the being reflexive and studying yourself as you go out to the site, watching for your own biases and preconditioned sensemaking. He discusses the hard aspect of leaving the site - when you have come to know the folks you've been watching and learning from. He discusses perhaps the hardest part of all - the writing of the ethnography, the development of one's own voice - the necessity of writing, rewriting, editing - and then writing again.

Bud's book is chockful of good concrete information, and yet when you are done reading, you realize the grandest part of all: He did it all with only a few bullet points, but with a great style of writing that makes you want to read it all over again.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Text For Writing Culture!, September 6, 2001

By 

Michael Spivey, Ph.D. (Kean a horror movie fan from Wagram ,NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Writing the New Ethnography (Ethnographic Alternatives) (Paperback)

I read this text from beginning to end in one day! That is how interesting this work is. Not only does the text provide valuable conceptual clarity, but also exercises for students to help them along the road (God help them!) from research to writing the ethnographic report. Also of great value is the attention the author gives to writing as method: both in terms of writing up fieldnotes and the final report. Students need to grasp the importance of writing within ethnographic research. Dr. Goodall (I think they call him Dr. Bud) provides! I plan to use this text in an undergraduate class on the sociology of everyday life. Certainly great for graduate students as well.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Guidebook, July 5, 2001

By 

Benjamin Cline (Hays, KS US) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Writing the New Ethnography (Ethnographic Alternatives) (Paperback)

Whether one is a beginning ethnographer or one is an advanced ethnographer wanting to learn more, Goodall's book is extremely helpful. His writing style is accessible, but does not shy away from the difficult questions. His insights on living an ethnographic life will make an ethnographer of anyone.