Doing Ethnography

Written by a sociologist and an anthropologist, this concise primer is packed with clear methodological guidance and engaging stories that illustrate what ethnography looks like in practice. The text follows the arc of a typical ethnographic study, with ethics and social justice concerns highlighted throughout. Jessica Smartt Gullion and Susan Harper address practical considerations in developing a research question, planning and conducting fieldwork, and dealing with common pitfalls. They show how to organize and analyze data, using techniques from grounded analysis to poetic inquiry. The book addresses the politics of fieldwork, discomfort and safety issues, and who has the right to tell others’ stories, and offers advice on writing up and publishing ethnographic work for different audiences. Chapters include opening vignettes, boxes on key techniques, discussion questions, exercises, and prompts for contemplative learning.

Table of Contents:
1. An Invitation to Ethnography 2. Before You Go Into the Field 3. Field Work 4. Data Organization and Analysis 5. (Re)Presentation [Writing] 6. Evaluation Appendix Glossary References Index

About the Author :
Jessica Smartt Gullion, PhD, is Professor of Sociology at Texas Woman’s University. She has published several books and more than 35 book chapters and articles in peer-reviewed journals such as Qualitative Inquiry, the International Review of Qualitative Research, and the Journal of Autoethnography. Susan Harper, PhD, is Director of Co-Curricular Student Development at Iowa State University. She is an educator, activist, advocate, and scholar whose interests include feminist pedagogy, qualitative inquiry as a tool for social justice, ethnography, and contemporary Paganism.

Review :
“Doing Ethnography is as clearly written and engaging as the title suggests. Gullion and Harper draw on their own experiences, coupled with classic and contemporary ethnographic works, to explicate the complicated nature and process of engaging in ethnographic research. They encourage readers to contemplate and practice core concepts and activities important to doing ethnographic inquiry. As passionate ethnographers themselves, these authors don’t merely write about ethnography, they take novices and experienced ethnographers into new ways of crafting their research with people, cultures, and communities.”--Barbara Dennis, PhD, Professor of Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodology, Indiana University “A great guide for first-time ethnographers and students. Gullion and Harper have managed to reverse engineer the process of fieldwork and the components of ‘the field,’ while also showing why we do research in the first place. They give oodles of practical advice in a conversational style that makes you want to do ethnography.”--Rashmi Sadana, PhD, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, George Mason University “I recommend Doing Ethnography for graduate students and researchers at all levels. The authors’ explanations of the practical realities of fieldwork make complex processes accessible and actionable. The vignettes and detailed case studies offer a vivid window into ‘What went right?’ and ‘What went wrong?’ Showing how ethnography unfolds in practice, this book serves as both an instructional resource and a step-by-step guide. It equips readers with the tools to navigate the challenges and intricacies of ethnographic inquiry with confidence and insight.”--Regina J. Giraldo-García, PhD, Department of Educational Studies, Ball State University-