Designing and Conducting Ethnographic Research (Ethnographer's Toolkit , Vol 1) (Paperback)

by Margaret Diane LeCompte (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The Ethnographer's Toolkit series begins with this overview volume, which defines the ethnographic enterprise, links research strategies to theoretical paradigms, and outlines the ways in which an ethnographic study can be designed. Using practical, straightforward language, the authors of this volume introduce readers to the ethnographic process, identifying issues, choices, and techniques covered in greater depth in other kit volumes, including chapters on the personal qualities of a good researcher and on research ethics. As a guide to the contents of the Toolkit series, or as a stand-alone introduction to ethnography, this volume will be extremely valuable to all novice ethnographers.

About the Author
Margaret Diane LeCompte: University of Colorado, Boulder Jean J. Schensul: Institute for Community Research, Hartford

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: AltaMira Press; 1 edition (August 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761989757
• ISBN-13: 978-0761989752
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #320,696 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars To The Point Skills Teaching, December 12, 2000

By	Elgin Klugh (Tampa, FL) - See all my reviews

This text provides an excellent overview of the processes and considerations in good ethnographic research. Chapter 1 provides a discussion that introduces the reader to the term ethnography. Those who assume that they already know about ethnography may also want to peruse this chapter for a refreshing and concise review of rationale and terminology. The next chapter describes processes for determining when ethnography should be used. This discussion is especially useful for those in various fields and professions that have recently come to recognize the value of ethnographic methods in their endeavors. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 aid the ethnographer in the pre-fieldwork stage. In chapter 3, clear descriptions of different theoretical paradigms for research (such as "Critical Theory" (pp. 45-48)) are offered so that the reader may have the creative benefit of exploring questions raised by different paradigms. Chapter 4 guides the reader through the conceptual process of creating a research design, and chapter 5 explains how to apply research designs to specific projects in order to generate good ethnographic data. Methods of ethnographic data collection are described in chapter 6, and chapter 7 explores the analysis of this data. Chapter 8 provides a discussion of the types of personalities and relationships that encourage better fieldwork experiences and potential data collection. And chapter 9 describes ethical considerations that are important to note - including Institutional Review Board guidelines. These individuals should be congratulated for bringing such a valuable resource to those interested in using ethnography. Designing and Conducting Ethnographic Research is just the first in a seven volume series that guides the reader through the various stages of ethnographic research - from the conceptual beginnings to the actual implementation of ethnographic findings. Each of these texts is a valuable source - focusing on specific processes and techniques in ethnographic research. For the convenience of those using the whole series, the editors have cross-referenced several issues, topics, and examples in each book with similar discussions appearing in the other books. The editors have also developed a helpful system of symbols, appearing in the margins throughout each book, to flag the reader to key points, cross references, definitions, and case studies. These help to make the facts and examples offered more readily accessible to the reader. The entire series is well written, in clear and concise language, without the presence of heavy anthropological jargon. And when jargon is presented, it is helpfully defined in the margin. Thus, this series is very useful to anyone interested in ethnography, and for individuals at all levels of ethnographic expertise.