ETHNOGRAPHIC OBSERVATION.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to observe people in their natural environment?
We studied two tools:
- Archival studies.
- Ethnographic observation.
Each tool has its own pros and cons; still, I prefer ethnographic OBSERVATION.
It is a research tool where the researcher can study
the behavior patterns, interactions, and culture of
the chosen person or group of people in their
natural surroundings. Mainly, we have to improve
the quality of being more patient when we are
doing ethnographic observation.
The second thing is curiosity, and finally, being
more open-minded. I don't know how to be more open-minded or completely avoid being judgmental
while doing this, because, when it
comes to studying others, I find it fine
to accept their beliefs, even if they are
completely opposite to mine. It is not
about finding who is the righteous one.
However, at a certain point, after
observing for too long, we have to
form opinions or write a report based
on what we have perceived
about others, which is another form of judging, isn't it? This process involves some degree of judgment
too, even though it is open-minded.
CONSENT FORM is a new concept introduced to us. A consent form is a document that asks for a
person's permission to participate in something, like a study or activity. It explains what will happen,
what is expected from them, and any risks involved, including the clarity of confidentiality. By signing
the form, the person agrees to take part voluntarily, knowing all the important details about the activity.
On the other hand, we have to observe the participant's behavior. Now, think about how they will
behave—do you think they would reveal their true personality after knowing someone is going to
watch them 24/7? Maybe this is okay for long-term observations (like six months or more), as people
can't mask their true selves for too long. But, in our case, we are given a short time period, and within
that, I find it uncertain how trustworthy our data would be.
The key point of ethnographic studies is to gather a deep understanding of a group's way of life through
the lens of observation, focusing on aspects such as:
- Physical attributes.
- Emotions.
- Culture and social interactions.
observation will shape and influence each individual’s way of viewing the world, helping them become
better people in the future.

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