Ethnography

Introduction

Qualitative research can serve as methodology for comprehending social reality and finding applications across disciplines (Coffey, 2018). Within the social and behavioural sciences, qualitative research approaches are commonly used to investigate and examine social phenomena. They aim to show the meanings individuals attribute to activities, situations, events, or artefacts, fostering a profound understanding of specific aspects of social life. Additionally, qualitative research attempts to provide “thick descriptions” in naturalistic settings (Fetterman, 2010, p. 124). It is crucial to explore novel domains and establish links by highlighting connections between individuals or groups and the broader institutional and cultural contexts (Denzin & Lincoln, 2017; Leavy, 2020; Liamputtong, 2020). Furthermore, as Erickson (2017) stated, qualitative inquiry aims to uncover and narratively depict the activities of specific individuals in their daily existence and show the significance these actions hold for them. One of the most frequently utilised methodological approaches within social studies is ethnography which meticulously investigates and explores the activities of individuals or groups within their authentic contexts (Coffey, 2018; Eriksson & Kovalainen, 2008; Hammersley & Atkinson, 2019).

Ethnography identifies categories of meaning in the world, such as types of individuals, actions, beliefs, and interests. Ethnographers put much emphasis on showing variations in the forms in a meaningful pattern. The focus is on understanding the nuances that contribute to the interpretation of actions and experiences within the context of qualitative research. Furthermore, Cockerham (2013, pp. 25-26) stated that “qualitative research provides some of the most insightful data available on social relationships and situations. It puts a human face on what would otherwise be only a narrative of numbers.”

In terms of applied linguistics and L2 education, the primary emphasis is on the examination of language in practical contexts, forging connections between our comprehension of languages and their real-world applications. Practitioners in applied linguistics engage in varied research domains, encompassing second language acquisition (SLA), teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), workplace communication, language planning and policy, as well as language identity and gender, among others. Moreover, numerous applied linguists extend their expertise to closely associated fields such as education, psychology, sociology, and anthropology (Conrad et al., 2020; Heigham & Croker, 2009). In this regard, ethnography is one of the most commonly used qualitative research methodologies in applied linguistics (Heigham & Sakui, 2009). It can be inferred that qualitative research plays an essential role in the applied linguistics field and L2 education, and ethnography is one of the unique types because, as stated by Mackey and Gass (2021), ethnographic research proves particularly advantageous in situations where there is insufficient understanding or knowledge about a given context. Furthermore, in the field of applied linguistics, researchers often employ an ethnographic approach to examine language usage within familiar community and institutional settings, diverging from the conventional ethnographic focus on unfamiliar or exotic environments. Given the interdisciplinary nature of applied linguistics, many researchers collaborate across fields such as healthcare, workplace studies, and various organisational contexts. Consequently, ethnography proves to be a fitting approach within applied linguistics, offering an effective methodology for investigations spanning multiple disciplines (Lew et al., 2018; Starfield, 2015). Therefore, the following sections are focused on this type of qualitative research methodology. Therefore, this chapter presents a systematic approach to conducting qualitative research using ethnography, guiding readers through each step. Additionally, it furnishes ample information on the origins of ethnography and its practical implementation in research, supported by relevant examples.