Field Technique Characteristics

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 Field Technique Characteristics

Ethnographic Characteristic Field Techniques:

 Direct, firsthand observation of behavior: Ethnographers observe the behavior of people

firsthand in the field to understand their culture, including participant observation.

 Cultural shock: Ethnographers might experience culture shock when studying a culture

that is different from their own.

 Cultural consultant: A cultural consultant is someone who is an expert in a particular

culture and can provide insights into its customs, traditions, and values.

 Emic and etic perspectives: Ethnographers use both emic and etic perspectives to

understand a culture. Emic perspective refers to understanding a culture from the insider's

point of view, while etic perspective refers to understanding a culture from an outsider's

point of view.

 Genealogical method: Genealogical method is a technique used by ethnographers to trace

the history of a particular cultural group or community.

 Informed consent: Ethnographers obtain informed consent from participants in their study

to ensure that they understand the purpose of the study and agree to participate.

 Interview schedule: An interview schedule is a pre-determined set of questions that

ethnographers use to gather information from participants in their study.

 Key cultural consultants: Key cultural consultants are individuals who have significant

cultural knowledge and can provide valuable insights into a particular culture.

 Life history: Life history is a technique used by ethnographers to gather information

about a person's life, including their experiences, beliefs, and values.

  Longitudinal research: Longitudinal research is a technique used by ethnographers to

study a cultural group or community over an extended period of time.

 Participant observation: Participant observation is a technique used by ethnographers

where they observe the behavior of people in the field while actively participating in the

culture they are studying.

 Sample: A sample is a portion of a population that is selected for a study, typically to

represent the larger population.

 Survey research: Survey research is a technique used by ethnographers to gather

information from a large number of participants through a structured questionnaire.

 Variables: Variables are factors that can affect the outcome of a study. Ethnographers

take into account variables such as cultural values, beliefs, and practices when conducting

their research.

Olympic Success and Cultural Values:

The article explores the role of cultural values in Olympic success in a sample population mainly

Brazil and the United States. The ethnographers use the technique called participant observation,

life history, interview schedules, informed consent, genealogical method, emic and etic

perspectives, longitudinal research, and consultation of key cultural consultants to monitor and

study the two communities. The United States and Brazil are used as examples to show the

contrast in Olympic success. The article highlights the cultural differences between the two

countries, including their attitudes towards time and competition which makes the ethnographers

or cultural consultants experience cultural shock. According to survey research, the two countries

consider different variables to achieve success. In the United States, there is a greater emphasis

on improving times and achieving success in sports, while in Brazil, there is a focus on
individual success. The article also explores cultural differences in terms of access to resources,

media coverage, and attitudes towards achievement. The findings suggest that cultural values

play an important role in determining Olympic success and that these values are reflected in the

attitudes and behaviors of athletes and their communities.

The contrast in Olympic Success:

 The United States and Brazil are contrasted in terms of their Olympic success.

 Cultural values play a role in international sports success (Hu et al., 2017).

 The United States won 174 medals in the Summer Olympics of 1984, whilst Brazil only

won 8.

 The American obsession with time is seen as an outstanding contrast between the two

cultures.

Swimming Culture in the U.S. and Brazil:

 Time is a critical factor in a swimmer's success.

 The monthly magazine Swimming World is a source of information about times and

rankings.

 In the U.S., meets are planned a year and have relays, while in Brazil, meets are often

planned at the last minute and don't have relays.

 Times are recorded and publicly posted in the U.S., while in Brazil, they are not recorded

as accurately.

 In the U.S., there is public recognition of improvement, while in Brazil, it is missing.

Values in the U.S. and Brazil:

 "It's not over till it's over" is an important American value.

 In Brazil, the credo seems to be "it's over before it's begun".

 There can be multiple winners in a competitive sport like swimming in America due to

the abundance of resources and opportunities.

 In Brazil, there is less segregation of rich and poor, black and white.
 References

Hu, Y. T., Ting, Y., Hu, J. Y., & Hsieh, S. C. (2017). Techniques and methods to study

functional characteristics of emulsion systems. Journal of food and drug analysis, 25(1),

16-26.