Ethnographic Research: Background

Presented by Bob MunsonBukal Life Care & Counseling

Center

www.bukallife.org

Ethnographic Research is a Form of Qualitative Research.Biographical ResearchPhenomenological ResearchGrounded Theory StudyCase StudyEthnographic Research

Ethnography vs Ethnology

Ethnology is comparative. Compares/ contrasts two or more cultures.

Ethnography is descriptive. Describing one culture.

<Both are tools of Cultural Anthropology>

Our Three Human Quality Sets

“That which is like no other”…. Our Individuality.

“That which is like all others”… Our Humanity.

“That which is like some others”… Our Cultural Identity.

Our 3 Sets of Qualities

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Monocultural Viewpoint

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Ethnocentrism

Presumption that our culture is right… or at least more right… than other cultures.

Other cultures may be “silly,” “irrelevant,” or even “evil.” “Reverse Ethnocentrism” is also possible.

<However, no culture is perfectly good or perfectly bad. All have the possibility of being “redeemed” while still being unique.”

Stereotyping

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Stereotyping assumes that all members of a group think and behave in predictable ways based on a (questionable) set of group characteristics

<However, there is always a tension between the drive to conform to a culture, a drive to conform to universal needs, and a drive to individuality.>

Define Culture:

“ …Knowledge that is learned and shared and that people use to generate behavior and interpret experience” (McCurdy)

Culture, Sub-Culture, MicrocultureCulture. Big-picture, All-day

Sub-culture. Little-picture, All-day

Microculture. Part of the day.

<Examples?>

The Fish and the Duck

Who KNOWS water better?Who UNDERSTANDS water better?“emic” versus “etic” perspectives

Multiple Perspectives Can Lead to Greater Knowledge and Understanding

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Levels of Cultural Awareness

Level Information Mode Interpretation 1 Awareness of superficial or

very visible cultural traits ; stereotypes

Tourism, textbooks Unbelievable: weird, exotic

2 Awareness of significant and subtle cultural traits that contrast markedly with one’s own.

Culture-conflict situations

Unbe1ievable : frustrating, irritating

3 Awareness of the meanings of the cultural traits that contrast sharply with one’s own.

Intellectual analysis Believable: I understand cognitively

4 Awareness of how another culture feels from the standpoint of the insider.

Cultural immersion; living the culture

Believable: I understand affectively

Key Point…

It is doubtful that one can impact members of a cultural group without at least a Level 3 cultural awareness.

Ethnographic Research is an important part of attaining that level.

Key Thought:

If we do not learn to understand (at least cognitively) another’s culture, we will:

not appreciate them or respect them.not know how to communicate effectively

with them.

If this is the case, how will we share God’s word with them?

Key Point.

Christians tend to emphasize the differences between Christianity and other Worldviews. However, for effective communication, we need to find commonality.

<How do we find that commonality?>

Ethnography #1

Target Group: High School Youth living in Baguio City. (sub-culture)

Basic Problem: What is the attitude of target group regarding horror movies and the popular supernatural.

Ultimately Goal: Understand group better so that we can reach them effectively with spiritual transformation.

Findings

Fascination with horror movies and with popular supernatural concepts.

Written responses differed from spoken interviews with spoken showing greater belief.

Wide range of beliefs… but few at the extremes.

Application

Disagreement.

-View #1. Fight the youths’ attitudes. It is a trap of Satan.

-View #2. Utilize the youths’ fascination. It is an open door. (Epeminides)

Ethnography #2

Target Group: Pinsao Pilot Jeepney Drivers. (microculture)

Problem: Attitude regarding sacrifice

Goal: Improve spiritual dialogue between seminary and drivers.

Findings

-Many fairly religious, but don’t have chance to go to church much because of their job.

-Things have become far more difficult for them with the increase in fuel prices.

-Have strong sense of community: working together for each other’s good.

-Think PBTS is a bad neighbour.

-Lack of patronage. -Lack of hospitality.

-Lack of respect.

Application

Student Council set up Jeepney appreciation days.

Seminary intentionally sought to develop patronage with group.

Is Doing Research “Biblical”?

1.Jesus. Luke 10

2.Paul (Athens)

3.Nehemiah

4.Canaan Spies

Ethnographic Research: Background

Presented by Bob MunsonBukal Life Care & Counseling

Center

www.bukallife.org