Doing Ethnographic Research. Kimberly Kirner

Doing Ethnographic Research

have no clear significance for “current relationship status” and appear to be arbitrary.

Problem 1

Variable: Religion

Problem 2

Variable: Ethnicity

Activity 1.5: Operationalizing Definitions

Background: An operational definition provides specific instructions about how to measure a variable. The variable usually already has one or more conceptual definitions that facilitate understanding, but we still have to explain how we will measure the abstractions, things that exist only as an idea, for the purposes of our research.

This activity will help you construct operational definitions.

Key Terms and Concepts

Conceptual definitions

Operational definitions

Instructions

Use the prompts provided to construct original operational definitions for commonly used research terms, followed by your justification (reasoning).

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes students make when constructing operational definitions:

Insufficient clarity: The definition isn’t fully operationalized and does not contain measurements.

Insufficient relevance: The definition isn’t tailored for a specific purpose or study.

Insufficient attention to bias: The definition is based on the researcher’s assumptions, rather than considering how their biases may be incorrect.

Ask Yourself

Do I need to ask any clarifying questions?

Sample Problem

Variable: Household

Example

Operational definition: For the purposes of my study, a household is defined as all people occupying the same residence for at least 50 percent of the time and who share economic resources and/or responsibilities.

Justification: I’ve observed that many households no longer have everyone living there all the time because jobs take the people away some of the time. But these people still live together on a regular basis, and they share economic resources to pay the bills.

Non-example

Operational definition: For the purposes of my study, a household is defined as everyone who is in the family.

Justification: People usually live with their families.

Problem 1

Variable: Family

Operational definition:

___________________________________________________

Justification:

___________________________________________________

Problem 2

Variable: Gender

Operational definition:

___________________________________________________

Justification:

___________________________________________________

Activity 1.6: Research Interest Reflection

Background: It’s time to put these concepts together and start thinking about your own research interests! The starting point to building yourself as a researcher is to identify a topic that piques your interest. Also of concern is selecting a topic that you can actually study—that isn’t too far away, expensive, or challenging to do.

This activity will help you brainstorm possible topics for your own research and think about multiple aspects related to your research interests.

Note: In the final, culminating activities of each chapter, you are expected to synthesize the key terms, concepts, and skills you have learned in the preceding activities. There are no new key terms or concepts taught in the culminating activities.

Instructions

Construct a mind map in which you brainstorm one or more research topics that pique your interest, along with more specific aspects to them. Some points to consider while brainstorming:

What do I find interesting, important, or fascinating?

Where do I like to spend a lot of time?

Are there particular groups of people I find interesting or wish to serve?

When I look at “doing” methods, what do I really like to do? What am I good at (numbers, talking with people, patiently observing for hours, etc.)?

What are my limitations as a student researcher (time, money)?

Common Mistakes

Common mistakes students make when creating mind maps:

Insufficient detail: The mind map is shallow and does not show effort to engage critical and creative thinking.

Insufficient connections: The mind map does not link obviously connected or related topics (i.e., it presents as a group of disconnected ideas).

Ask Yourself

Am I monitoring my understanding?

Do I review information after reading?

Sample Mind Map

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