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Ethnography
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David M. Fetterman captures the ethnographic imagination with the Fourth Edition of his popular text, Ethnography: Step-by-Step. He shares new case examples of his work to highlight the illuminating power of reflexivity and theory. The new edition expands the discussion of critical concepts such as culture, contextualization, emic and etic distinctions, and symbols. The book provides insights into the use of technology in ethnography from qualitative data analysis software to data visualization, and Questions for Reflection have been added to the end of each chapter. Fetterman is a seasoned educator, evidenced by both the clarity of his thinking and the simplicity of his writing.


 
Appreciations to . . .
 
Preface
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Author
 
Chapter 1: An Overview: The First Step
Overview

 
The Problem

 
Basic or Applied Role

 
Theory

 
Research Design: Fieldwork

 
Formal Analysis

 
The Ethnography

 
Book Organization

 
 
Chapter 2: Anthropological Concepts: Walking in Rhythm
Culture

 
Holistic Perspective

 
Contextualization

 
Emic Perspective and Multiple Realities

 
Etic Perspective

 
Nonjudgmental Orientation

 
Inter- and Intracultural Diversity

 
Structure and Function

 
Symbol and Ritual

 
Micro- or Macrolevel Study

 
Reflexivity

 
Operationalism

 
 
Chapter 3: Methods and Techniques: A Wilderness Guide
Fieldwork

 
Selection and Sampling

 
Entry

 
Participant Observation

 
Interviewing

 
Lists and Forms

 
Questionnaires

 
Projective Techniques

 
Additional Eliciting Devices

 
Unobtrusive Measures

 
 
Chapter 4: Ethnographic Equipment: Gearing Up
Pen and Paper

 
Digital Voice Recorders

 
Smart Phones

 
Web Mapping Services

 
Tablets

 
Computers

 
Database Software

 
Cameras

 
Video Camera

 
Cinema

 
Internet

 
 
Chapter 5: Analysis: Finding Your Way Through the Forest
Thinking

 
Triangulation

 
Patterns

 
Key Events

 
Maps

 
Flowcharts

 
Organizational Charts

 
Matrices

 
Content Analysis

 
Statistics

 
Crystallization

 
 
Chapter 6: Writing: Recording the Miracle
Research Proposals

 
Field Notes

 
Field Note Organization

 
Memoranda

 
Interim Reports

 
Final Reports, Blogs, Data Visualizations, Articles, and Books

 
Thick Description and Verbatim Quotations

 
Ethnographic Present

 
Ethnographic Presence

 
Ethnographically Informed Reports

 
Literature

 
Revising and Editing

 
 
Chapter 7: Ethics: Walking Softly Through the Wilderness
Historical Context

 
The Ethnographer’s Role

 
Academic and Applied Ethnography

 
Research Life Cycle

 
Conclusion

 
 
Appendix: Organization of Field Notes
 
References
 
Index

This is an excellent resource to help students understand ethnography research. The author has painstakingly put together a body of work that is remarkable. It was definitely an enjoyable book for me to read, and I hope others feel the same. 

Ahmed Al-Asfour
Oglala Lakota College
review

Fetterman's text continues to be one of the most definitive guides to the ethnographic method. Comprehensive in scope and accessible in tone, it offers newcomers to this vivid approach an authoritative introduction, and to seasoned researchers a reminder of the wealth of possibilities ethnography can entail. Highly recommended. 

Peter Vlachos
University of Greenwich
Review

Dr. Fetterman's Ethnography Step-by-Step, 4th edition is a valuable tool for not only the experienced ethnographer, but will be of tremendous help to a doctoral student doing an ethnographic study for their dissertation/thesis. The author does an excellent job of taking the reader through the entire ethnographic process, including the use of the latest technology tools used in research. 

Dale Crowe
University of Phoenix
Review

This book offers a great blend of the old and the new. The old is a lucid and engaging exploration of what ethnography offers those of us who revel in the fascinating journey with the nuances of life, while the new is the seemingly never-ending quest to discover how we can use technology to appreciate the journey even more.

James Bernauer
Robert Morris University
Review

Ethnographic research is a new technique in the built environment. The traditional use of ethnography lies within social studies and anthropology, which are closely related to building the environment. This book is a very simple book on conducting ethnographic studies for any discipline and profession willing to observe the dynamic socio-economic pattern of any city.

Dr Quazi Zaman
Scott Sutherland School of Architecture & Built Environment , Robert Gordon University
September 26, 2024

Great overview. Very accessible for graduate students from professional schools (Law, Design, Nursing, Medicine)

Regina Austin
Law School, University Of Pennsylvania
December 10, 2021

I was looking for a credible, reliable and accessible text on ethnography and spent time to find an authoritative scholar on this research method. Very happy to now have David Fetterman's book in my research methods toolbox.

Dr Jill Bogie
Business, Gordon Institute of Business Science
February 18, 2020

I will be using this text for the summer course I teach in qualitative methods. It is easy to follow; the graduate students really profit from studying it.

Pedro Reyes
Educational Administration, University Of Texas- Austin
February 6, 2020
Key features
The Fourth Edition includes:
  • New examples drawn from ethnographic work at the Recovery Café (a healing community for those who have been traumatized by addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges), Stanford University’s School of Medicine, Pacifica Graduate Institute, and Google
  • Updated tech tool discussions, including: qualitative data analysis and videoconferencing software
  • Expanded exploration of concepts, including: culture, contextualization, emic and etic distinctions, and symbols
  • Updated theoretical discussions, including: feminist and queer theories (with an emphasis on positionality and reflexivity)
  • Questions for Reflection at the end of each chapter

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1. An Overview: The First Step


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