Ethnography: A Way of Seeing

by Harry F. Wolcott

Harry Wolcott, one of anthropology's leading writers on ethnographic methods, here addresses the nature of the ethnographic enterprise itself. Tracing its development from its disciplinary origins in sociology and anthropology, he helps the reader understand what is distinctive about ethnography and what it means to conduct research in the ethnographic tradition. In this engaging, thought-provoking book, he distinguishes ethnography as more than just a set of field methods and practices, separating it from many related qualitative research traditions as 'a way of seeing' through the lens of culture. For both beginning and experienced ethnographers in a wide range of disciplines, Wolcott's book will provide important ideas for improving research practice.

Genres: Anthropology, Qualitative Research

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Harry F. Wolcott taught at the University of Oregon, serving on both the faculties of education and anthropology. He authored several ethnographic texts that included his experiences among the Kwakiutl Indians of British Columbia and with the African Beer Gardens of Bulawayo, Rhodesia, as well on ethnographic method and on writing itself, with a focus on qualitative research.

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

He overextends his metaphors to explain things. He is also short on "ethics" and at times even cynical about ethnography as a whole. Still, it offers a good background into the field.

[Fernando · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is dated and kind of boring, except by the last 100 pages which includes some dissertations about Carlos Castaneda.