1. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Gathering and Interpreting Ethnographic Information

2. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas What is ethnographic information? Ethnographic information is data about a particular culture or group gathered specifically from members of that culture or group, defining and using their own perspective and world view as much as possible.

3. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Community norms We can look at community norms through a number of filters: Gender roles Social structure Behavior

4. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Health conditions and knowledge Some areas to examine: Knowledge about and practices related to prenatal, infant, and child health. The understanding and frequency of the effects of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and of addiction in general. Awareness of chronic or other health conditions that are common in the community, and of environmental threats or benefits to health. Knowledge about nutrition and physical activity, and their relationship to health, as well as practices that reflect that knowledge. Engagement in regular health screenings, vaccinations, and other health protection strategies.

5. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Health conditions and knowledge Relationships with a regular primary care provider whom people see regularly. The percentage of the population with access to health care.

6. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Power and political realities Some areas to examine: Who holds positions of power? Who are the opinion leaders and policymakers? How is power exercised? How are civic goals or actions accomplished? Who is or feels powerless? Whose concerns are most often attended to? Are laws enforced differently for some people than for others?

7. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Religion Are most people in the community of one faith, or is it made up of members of a number of different faiths, as well as many with no religious affiliation? What roles do religious institutions play? If most of the community subscribes to a particular religion, how inclusive and tolerant is it of different beliefs? What are the major elements of the belief system? Do people try to convert others? Do they understand and believe in the separation of church and state?

8. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Economics Is there a problem with unemployment or underemployment? Is the community dependent on a single industry, occupation, or employer? Is there discrimination in hiring or promotion? How does the community view education in relation to economic opportunity, and how good is its education system? How strong is its work ethic? How easy is it to advance economically? Is decent housing affordable and available? Are most people able to provide for their families’ basic needs? How large are the disparities in income andwealth? What groups experience greater disparities?

9. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas World view Attitudes toward authority Sense of efficacy and control of the environment Relationships and trust Obligations and rights Tolerance and inclusiveness Sense of identification

10. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Major points about ethnographic information Ethnographic information is obtained directly from those who live in the community of interest. The gathering of ethnographic information takes place in a natural, rather than an artificial setting. Ethnographic information is meant to help you understand a culture from the point of view of its members. Ethnographic information is simply descriptive, not judgmental.

11. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Why might ethnographic information be important to evaluation? In many circumstances, ethnographic information explains why approaches work or don’t work in ways that quantitative information can’t. Ethnographic information gives real insight into the ways participants or beneficiaries of programs and initiatives experience them. Ethnographic information helps clarify what needs to be addressed in order for participants to respond to your approach. Ethnographic information can clarify the issue and its effect on, and importance to, the population of interest. Ethnographic information can help you gain a clearer and more complex understanding of the culture you’re working with, so you can make better plans and adjustments in the future.

12. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas When might you want to collect ethnographic information? When you’re engaged with a population or cultural group that you’re not familiar with or part of. When you’re working with a clearly-defined group that has had a chance to develop its own culture. When an understanding of the context and culture of the community is fundamental to what you’re doing. When you’re addressing, as is often the case in an evaluation, a focused, clearly-defined situation that involves a specific population group.

13. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas Who should collect ethnographic information? This depends on such factors as how much time you have, whether you already have a foothold in the community (or are part of it), the size of the group you’re concerned with, your financial resources, etc.

14. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas How do you gather ethnographic information? Decide what kinds of information you need. Determine what you have the resources to do. Gain the trust of the group you’re engaged with. Plan your field study. Carry out your fieldwork and keeping fieldnotes.

15. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas How do you interpret ethnographic information? Organize the final version of your completed notes. Starting from the point of view of your original interest, write up a description of the culture as you understand it to be seen by its members. Reexamine the analyses from your fieldnotes. Try to understand the answer to your original question from the point of view of those you’re concerned with. Translate what you’ve learned about participants into supporting information or answers to your evaluation questions. Continue to gather ethnographic information to guide your work.

16. Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas In Summary Ethnography can be extremely helpful in conducting a valid evaluation of a program or initiative. An ethnographic study involves approaching the culture from the inside by embedding yourself in it to the extent possible. Planning and conducting an ethnographic study requires: deciding on the information you need and the resources you have to devote to it. gaining access to the group you’re interested in. choosing your specific research questions, the methods you’ll use to collect information, and whom you’ll collect it from. carrying out your plan, taking careful notes and/or audio or video recordings of your observations and conversations throughout.