Ethnography and the interpretation of cultures Essay

Ethnography and the interpretation of cultures - Essay Examplebeing studied However, for a social scientist the laboratory is the culture being studied and it is impossible to alter parts of it without destroying the culture itself. Furthermore to gain insight into the whys of cultural practices researchers must often ingratiate themselves with the people studied. However the argument is that too much turned on(p) attachment can affect the researchers objectivity and thereby call into question his research conclusions.This article traces the history of changes in anthropological approaches to ethnographical studies over the years. At first blush this is a confusing phraseology, but as I understand it from the authors explanation, the difference is that in participant observation the researcher participates in the cultures practices but observes for study only the cultures symbols, status relationships, norms, values, etc. to determine their significance in relation to how the cul ture functions (Tedlock, B. 1991) On the other hand under observation of participation the researcher is also more aware of the effect his participation whitethorn have on the culture and therefore tries to broaden his observations to himself as well as the culture being studied. In other words in an swither to achieve a greater degree of scientific validity he attempts to be more aware of for example any notions of cultural superiority which qualification color his perceptions and make him appreciate less how the practices he observes play roles in enabling the culture studied to function effectively in the context in which it operates. The author makes the point that that the recent broadening of the pool of recruits doing ethnographies to include both genders, different races and socioeconomic levels, etc. are more likely to study cultures objectively in context in th observation of participation methodology than their largely male, white, upper class forerunners many of whom h ad the baggage of considering themselves as members of