Ethnographic and Other Field Research Methods: Introduction

Traditionally considered the domain of anthropologists and ethnographers, conducting fieldwork has become increasingly common in a wide range of social science disciplines as researchers have sought to gain new insights into socio-political phenomena in an increasingly complex world with multiple – and often conflicting – knowledge claims.

Yet despite the increased prevalence of field-based methods, discussions of fieldwork frequently ignore the gap between theory and formal methods (how fieldwork is supposed to happen) and practice (how fieldwork really happens), with fieldwork presented as an objective and mechanical data collection exercise rather than as a complex, iterative and intersubjective process of data generation and interpretation. As a result, novice fieldworkers are left unprepared to negotiate the methodological, emotional, logistical and ethical challenges of working in the field.

The course is designed to begin addressing the gap between fieldwork theory and practice by providing people who are intending to conduct ethnographic/interpretive fieldwork but who as yet have little or no formal experience of fieldwork with a hands-on introduction to three key methods of data generation (observation, participant observation, and interviews) and issues related to their use.

The course begins on day 1 with an overview of the course and the underpinning notion of an “ethnographic sensibility”, before moving to explore what fieldwork is and related questions, including what and where “the field” is, what is distinctive about ethnographic fieldwork, and why fieldwork is used. Participants will be set the first of five practical exercises at the end of day one, and will be expected to draw on their experiences in subsequent discussions.

Day 2 will focus on the first of the three methods covered in the course: observation. Discussion will explore what it means to see ethnographically and observation as a way to generate “thick description”. Particular attention will be paid to what and how one observes and how to record one’s observations in field notes, and participants will have the opportunity to practise observing ethnographically in the second practical exercise.

Building on day 2, on day 3 the topic is participant observation. In addition to discussing the spectrum of ways in which the research can participate in the field and the implications of different forms of participation, consideration will be given issues of positionality including the researcher’s role in data generation and her research more widely, as well as relationship management, power dynamics, ethics and consent, and safety and wellbeing. The third practical exercise will provide participants will the opportunity to try participating in “the field” and experience (albeit in a limited way) the implications of positionality first-hand.

Interviews are the topic for day 4. Following an overview of how interviews can be used in interpretive fieldwork, discussion will focus firstly on the practicalities and potential complexities of interviewing, and secondly on processes of interpreting interviews in terms of maintaining reflexivity and an ethnographic sensibility. As with preceeding days, participants will then put discussion into practice in the day’s practical exercise.

The final day of the course is devoted to the end phase of fieldwork and making the transition from “the field” to “home” and from fieldwork to deskwork. The primary aim of the session is to explore fieldwork as an embodied and situated experience of knowledge production and how field researchers can effectively manage the “dirt” and “baggage” that often accompanies field data both personally and professionally. The final practical exercise will require participants to conduct a fieldworker debrief in pairs, reflecting on their experiences over the course. 

The course utilises a combination of presentations by the instructor, daily practical exercises, and group discussions of key readings and practical exercises. It is expected that all participants will undertake all practical exercises. Participants will be encouraged to relate discussion of each day’s topics and questions to their own research projects and perspectives, and as far as possible requests to discuss particular issues will be accommodated.

Note from the Academic Convenors to prospective participants: by registering to this course, you certify that you possess the prerequisite knowledge that is requested to be able to follow this course. The instructor will not teach again these prerequisite items. If you doubt whether you possess that knowledge to a sufficient extent, we suggest you contact the instructor before you proceed to your registration.

This course is designed as a “hands on” introduction to ethnographic (interpretive-qualitative) fieldwork. It is for students who have little or no formal experience of fieldwork, but who intend to conduct fieldwork as part of their research. There are no prerequisites for this course, but participants should be open to engaging with materials drawn from a range of social science disciplines including anthropology, human geography, political science, and sociology.