English 5870

Dr. Devries

February 24, 2008

Commentary #1

It seems that Victoria Purcell-Gates in her article, “”Ethnographic Research,” not only validates the importance of ethnographic research as a method for studying areas about which little is known, but also details the differences between this research methodology and quantitative research for use a rigorous guideline for those who may chose to engage in ethnography. Coming from an experimental psychology background, I have conducted many experiments, gathered much data, and written many research findings. The quantitative research methods I used are a stark contrast to the ethnographic research methods Purcell-Gates describes. But after reading her article, I agree that ethnographic research can reach areas that quantitative research cannot. And although the methodology is different, it is still rigorous and scientifically trustworthy.

Ethnographic research fills a gap left by other research methods. Studying “human behavior holistically, as it occurs naturally within social and cultural contexts is difficult. Ethnographic research gives those who are so inclined to find and discover these types of data a “scientific and trustworthy” means to do so. The aim of this type of research is different from other types. Ethnographic research attempts to provide information about human behavior as it occurs naturally in sociocultural contexts. In my experimental research, I would create a hypothesis, research all other experiments dealing with my subject matter, and then set out to support my hypothesis. I knew going into the research what I hoped to find. My experiments were not natural. In order to attain validity and reliability, I needed to isolate, control, or randomize factors. As Purcell-Gates notes, ethnography does not start with a preconceived premise for its findings. An ethnographer observes human behavior and from the observations begins to discover the questions which need to be asked. All factors are considered. “It is not appropriate for inquiries that seek to isolate factors for causal implications.” Once I finished collecting my quantitative data, I would run a statistical analysis on the findings to discover whether my they were valid and if my experiment was reliable. Although an ethnographer uses a much different version of the terms validity and reliability, a rigorous methodology is used and equally trustworthy results are obtained. Validity, for the ethnographer “refers to the degree to which one’s data and interpretation correspond to the ’way it is’ within the phenomenon being investigated. Purcell-Gates goes on to describe ways in which a research may obtain such validity. The data collected must then be shown to be reliable. An ethnographer must show that behaviors “coalesce to constitute patterns.” Again, although ethnography may be quite different from the research I am used to conducting, Purcell-Gates notes that the studies used in her article have won awards, are noted for rigorous methodology, and are significant. Ethnography is a valid form a research.

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