ethnography

UK: eθˈnɒɡrəfi | US: eθˈnɑːɡrəfi

Definition

  1. n. the systematic study and description of peoples, cultures, and customs, typically through fieldwork and observation.

Structure
ethno <people, nation>graphy <writing, recording>
Etymology

The word "ethnography" combines two Greek-derived morphemes:

  1. "ethno" (from Greek ethnos, meaning "people" or "nation") refers to human groups or cultures.
  2. "graphy" (from Greek -graphia, meaning "writing" or "recording") denotes a method of documentation.
    Originally used in anthropology, the term reflects the practice of "writing about people" by immersing in their cultural context. Over time, it expanded to include qualitative research in sociology and other disciplines.
Examples

  1. Her ethnography of rural communities in India provides deep insights into their traditions.

  2. The anthropologist spent two years conducting ethnography in a remote Amazonian tribe.

  3. Modern ethnography often combines interviews with participant observation.

  4. His book is a groundbreaking ethnography of urban street musicians.

  5. Digital ethnography has emerged as a method to study online communities.