How is ethnography defined in sociological research?

Ethnography is defined in sociological research as a qualitative research method that focuses on studying people and cultures through direct observation and participation. This approach allows researchers to immerse themselves in the daily lives and practices of the subjects they are studying, providing deep insights into their behaviors, beliefs, and social interactions. By employing techniques such as participant observation and in-depth interviews, ethnographers can capture the complexities of social life in a way that quantitative methods, which rely on numerical data and statistics, may overlook.

The richness of ethnographic data stems from the researcher’s ability to understand the context and meaning behind social phenomena. This method emphasizes the importance of the researcher’s perspective and experience, facilitating a nuanced understanding of cultural dynamics. Ethnography is particularly valuable for exploring communities, subcultures, and social settings that may be underrepresented in more traditional research approaches.