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Ethnography: an overview
1Ethnoworks, Takoma Park, Maryland 20913, USA. magar@bss1.umd.edu
Substance Use & Misuse
|July 1, 1997
Summary
This article explains ethnographic research methods, contrasting them with traditional quantitative approaches. It highlights the combination of ethnography and epidemiology in U.S. drug use studies.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Epidemiology
- Qualitative Research
Background:
- Ethnography offers a deep understanding of social phenomena.
- Traditional social research often relies on deductive, quantitative methods.
- Understanding research methodologies is crucial for scientific advancement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an overview of ethnographic research.
- To contrast ethnography with the deductive, quantitative
- received view
- of social research.
- To describe the integration of ethnography and epidemiology in U.S. drug use research.
Main Methods:
- Presents an example of traditional ethnography.
- Compares and contrasts ethnographic approaches with quantitative methods.
- Describes the combined use of ethnography and epidemiology.
Main Results:
- Ethnography utilizes an "abductive" epistemology.
- Ethnography differs significantly from deductive, quantitative research.
- The integration of ethnography and epidemiology is evident in drug use research.
Conclusions:
- Ethnographic research provides unique insights into social contexts.
- The combination of qualitative and quantitative methods can enhance research outcomes.
- This integrated approach is valuable for studying complex public health issues like drug use.