What is an ethnography?

An ethnography is best defined as a detailed study based on fieldwork of a culture. This method typically involves immersive, qualitative research where the anthropologist or researcher observes and interacts with a community over an extended period. The aim is to gain a deep understanding of the cultural practices, beliefs, social structures, and everyday lives of the people being studied.

This approach often results in rich, descriptive accounts that highlight the complexities of human behavior within the context of their environment. Ethnography prioritizes the perspectives and narratives of the community, allowing researchers to document and analyze cultural phenomena in a comprehensive manner. This in-depth investigation distinguishes it from other methods that may offer only surface-level insights or theoretical analyses. Thus, the comprehensive nature of ethnographic research is what makes it a vital tool in cultural anthropology.