Ethnographic
Inquiry
According to Spradley (1979), ethnography is "the work of describing a culture" (p. 3). The goal of ethnographic inquiry is "to understand another way of life from the native point of view" (p. 3).
Although this approach is commonly used by anthropologists to study exotic cultures and primitive societies, Spradley suggests that it is a useful tool for "understanding how other people see their experience" (p. iv). He emphasizes, however, that "rather than studying people, ethnography means learning from people" (p. 3).
Ethnographic inquiry provides observation and interviewing techniques that are useful for teachers and preservice students. According to Boyle-Baise and Sleeter (1996):
"Such investigation can help teachers understand communities, schools, and classrooms, especially in culturally diverse settings, where actions and meanings are complex and people view them differently. Preservice students can learn to use processes of ethnographic research to examine the familiar world of schools and classrooms as students might see and experience them. In addition, preservice students can use ethnographic research to discover strengths and perspectives of a sociocultural group that is different from their own." (p. 378)
"Preservice students will need help learning to interview and listen to what they hear, and to observe as carefully as possible. Much of the value of ethnography to a teacher is learning to tune in carefully to the perspectives and experiences of others, and to recognize and suspend one's own assumptions. Usually preservice students will need help interpreting their findings; the instructor should plan an active role in processing their investigations." (p. 380)
