The ethnographic approach to research is hands-on and experiential. Traditionally that meant living among a group of people and getting to know them at a very personal level, looking for shared, sometimes hidden, common values. Read more.
Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing). Robert M. Emerson, Rachel I. Fretz, Linda L. Shaw
One of the hardest parts of doing ethnography is writing usable notes. What is worth mentioning? Should I write in front of people or wait until I can be alone? How heavily am I interpreting? What do I do with my personal feelings. These 3 anthropologists from the Chicago School, give useful guidance.
The Interpretation Of Cultures. Clifford Geertz is a classic and it's easy to read. If you are interested in understanding modern ethnography but don't want to "do" it, this is a good choice.
They Lie, We Lie: Getting on with Anthropology
Peter Metcalf (Paperback - Dec 21, 2001)
Stranger And Friend. Hortense Powdermaker. 1981. This is another easy to read book that gets to the heart of what it means to practice ethnography.
Learning From Strangers: The Art and Method of Qualitative Interview Studies. Robert S. Weiss. 1995.
Ethnography in Organizations. Helen B. Schwartzman. 1992.
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