ACTIVITY HANDOUT Authors argue that rarely do we start ethnography with a theory and usually that comes after

our observations. However, we cannot enter the field without presumptions. Have you had an experience where you entered the field and your presumptions changed? Be prepared to share these after this activity. What assumptions might you have regarding these possible topics or areas of study for ethnography in this activity? On page 23 authors discuss that social events can good be a starting point or stimulate research. Read the newspaper article and answer the following questions. Feel free to use the space provided. We will discuss these as a class. What kind of ethnographic approach would you take if you were going to research this topic?

How would you gain access?

Would you have to adjust anything in your appearance, speech or characteristics to adjust to this venue?

What background knowledge might you want to have?

What foreshadowed problems do you identify in this article? What pre-research questions would you ask yourself?

Would you consider the above questions topical or generic?