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Ethnography in qualitative educational research: AMEE Guide No. 80.
Scott Reeves1, Jennifer Peller, Joanne Goldman
1Center for Innovation in Interprofessional Education, University of California, 520 Parnassus Avenue, CL112 San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. scott.reeves@ucsf.edu
Medical Teacher
|July 2, 2013
Summary
This guide introduces ethnography, a qualitative research method, detailing its history, forms, and application in medical education. It provides practical methods and discusses challenges for researchers and educators.
Area of Science:
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Medical Education Research
Background:
- Ethnography is a qualitative research approach utilizing observations, interviews, and documents.
- Its application in medical education offers insights into student preparation for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce ethnography, covering its history, forms, and theoretical underpinnings.
- To explore the role, contributions, and limitations of ethnography in medical education.
- To provide practical guidance on conducting ethnographic studies and address associated challenges.
Main Methods:
- The guide outlines ethnographic characteristics, origins, and theoretical use.
- It details methods, tools, and techniques for undertaking ethnographic research.
- Challenges related to data collection complexity and ethical considerations are discussed.
Main Results:
- Ethnographic research provides detailed accounts of social phenomena in medical education.
- The guide offers practical strategies for applying ethnographic methods.
- It highlights the importance of understanding conceptual, methodological, and ethical challenges.
Conclusions:
- Ethnography is a valuable qualitative research tool for medical education.
- The guide equips readers with knowledge to evaluate and conduct ethnographic studies.
- Future engagement with ethnography in medical education is encouraged.
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