Overview
This lecture discusses key principles of ethnographic research, focusing on the value of stories, the importance of context, the role of theory, and the ethnographer’s open-minded approach.
The Value of Stories in Ethnography
- Ethnographers examine not just factual accuracy, but the meanings behind the stories people tell.
- Stories provide insight into individuals' lives and experiences beyond simple true/false judgments.
- A story can index the type of person someone is or the life they have led.
The Importance of Context
- Context is crucial; interactions must be placed within broader societal and structural frameworks.
- Local laws (e.g., New York's written matter exemption) can shape street activities and opportunities.
- The neighborhood context (like a literary neighborhood) explains why certain activities flourish.
- Distant contexts (labor market, criminal justice, drug laws, housing market) also impact local scenes.
- Ignoring broader contexts leads to the "ethnographic fallacy": believing surface observations explain complex realities.
Theory and Real-World Evidence
- Ethnographers confront abstract sociological theories with lived realities.
- Some individuals defy typical patterns, such as overcoming addiction without formal programs.
- Research should account for both conformity to and deviation from established theories.
Portraying People and Roles
- Ethnography presents individuals mainly in terms of their social roles and relevance, not as fully rounded novelistic characters.
- Opinions and influences (e.g., city officials, business leaders) are sought directly, rather than assumed.
- Comparisons between groups must consider nuances like time, community ties, and presence.
Openness and Diversity in Fieldwork
- Ethnography is an open method, always receptive to new data and perspectives.
- Researchers should avoid being guided solely by their first contact or initial impressions.
- Capturing a wide range of people and outcomes reveals the complexity of social life.
- Seeking variation helps present a more representative and multifaceted account.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Ethnographic Fallacy — The mistaken belief that surface-level observations can fully explain complex social realities.
- Index (in context) — A story or statement that reflects or reveals deeper truths about a person or group.
- Open Method — An approach in ethnography that remains receptive to unexpected findings and multiple perspectives.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the sections in "Sidewalk" about local laws and neighborhood context.
- Reflect on how stories reveal both individual experience and broader social patterns.
- Prepare examples illustrating the ethnographic fallacy for discussion.