What's Wrong with Ethnography?: Methodological ExplorationsThis stimulating and refreshing study, written by one of the leading commentators in the field, provides novel answers to these crucial questions. "What's Wrong With Ethnography provides a fresh look at the rationale for and distinctiveness of ethnographic research in sociology, education and related fields, and succeeds in slaying a number of currently fashionable sacred cows. Relativism, critical theory, the uniqueness of the case study and the distinction between qualitative and quantitative research are all examined and found wanting as a basis for informed ethnography. The policy and political implications of ethnography are a particular focus of attention. The author compels the reader to reexamine some basic methodological assumptions in an exciting way", Martin Bulmer, London School of Economics. |
Contents
WHATS WRONG WITH ETHNOGRAPHY? | 11 |
SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THEORY | 32 |
ETHNOGRAPHY AND REALISM | 43 |
BY WHAT CRITERIA SHOULD ETHNOGRAPHIC | 57 |
Ethnography relevance and practice | 83 |
CRITICAL THEORY AS A MODEL | 96 |
PARTS THAT EVEN ETHNOGRAPHY CANNOT | 123 |
ON PRACTITIONER ETHNOGRAPHY | 135 |
Qualitative versus quantitative method | 157 |
THE LOGIC OF THEORYTESTING IN CASE STUDY | 174 |
SO WHAT ARE CASE STUDIES? | 183 |
Postscript | 201 |
| 223 | |
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Common terms and phrases
advocates analytic induction and/or Anthropology anti-realist applied approach argued argument assessment assumptions basis behaviour believe Blumer Chapter Chicago claims commitment concept concerned conventional ethnography criteria critical ethnography critical model critical theory cultural discussion distinction Educational Research emancipation empirical generalisation epistemological ethno ethnographic research ethnographic studies example experience explanation Falmer findings Frankfurt School Furthermore goal Habermas Hammersley 1989a Herbert Blumer human hypothetico-deductive method idea identify ideology implications important inquiry involved issue judged judgements knowledge Lofland logical London Marxist methodological naïve realism natural science oppressed paradigm particular perspectives phenomena philosophical political population practice practitioner ethnography problems produce qualitative method quantitative research question reality reasonable recognise relationship relativism relevance research community role seems simply situation social research social science Sociology statistical statistical sampling strategies study research survey research symbolic interactionism teleological testing tion true truth University Press validity Znaniecki