Conducting Ethnographic Research - Online

The aim of this two-day online training course is to introduce participants to the practice and ethics of ethnographic research. Through a mix of plenary sessions, group and independent work, participants will learn the basic principles of participant observation and research design, as well as the foundations of ethical ethnographic research. The course will also examine the ways in which other qualitative and creative methods of data collection may be productively integrated in ethnographic research.

The course covers:

• Research design
• Qualitative methods in ethnographic research
• Access and power
• Research ethics in participant observation

By the end of the course participants will:

• Understand the epistemological foundations of ethnographic research
• Have a solid understanding of ethnographic research in action
• Be able to design and conduct research integrating qualitative and ethnographic research methods
• Be able to conduct ethical ethnographic research

The course is suitable for any professional researchers interested in learning more about using ethnographic methods – whether within or outside academia (private sector, government researchers, etc.). The course is likewise suitable for postgraduate students in any social science (human geography, sociology, business school, political sciences, area studies, education, etc.) with prior knowledge of any qualitative research methods, but not necessarily of ethnography.

Course Description

Programme

Day 1

Morning session:

• 09:30-09:45   Introduction to the course
• 09:45-10:45   Plenary – The Practice of Ethnography
• 10:45-11:00   Break
• 11:00-12:00   Group work (Reliable data in participant observation), followed by class debate

Afternoon session:

• 12:45-1:45     Plenary - Qualitative methods in ethnographic practice (plenary session)
• 1:45-2:00      Break
• 2:00-3:15      Practical exercise (Ethnographic interviews), followed by class debate

Day 2

Morning session:

• 09:30-10:45   Plenary - Research ethics in ethnography
• 10:45-11:00   Break
• 11:00-12:00   Group work (Access, power & ethics in action), followed by class discussion

Afternoon session:

• 12:45-1:45    Plenary - Ethnography beyond participant observation
• 1:45-2:00      Break
• 2:00-3:00      Group discussion (Project design), followed by class discussion
• 3:00-3:15      Conclusion and Evaluations

*** All sessions are delivered synchronously on Zoom