I am also thinking about ethnography in terms of my own research proposal. In general terms, I wonder if it is even possible to detach yourself from what you are studying. Can I, a Muslim, be an objective or even neutral observer of Islam and Muslims?
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Ethnography
I'm pretty sure most people have seen Michael Wesch's video in which he and his students embark on an ethnographical study of YouTube. It got me thinking about the research methodology itself, and how it almost seems like an oxymoron. Researching anything implies a degree of detachment; otherwise, how can you be objective? But ethnographical research requires you to immerse yourself in the thing which you are studying. Does that detract from the scholarly integrity of your work? Or does it do the opposite and add to its authenticity?
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On a somewhat related note in class there was a discussion regarding the difficulties in doing ethnography online because of certain limitations in "face-to-face" or other related traditional ethnographic methods. However, to what degree do the limitations of particular methods say something about the environment being studied to begin with? Is it commonplace for people to have "face-to-face" communication online - this was mentioned as a limitation in class? If not, then why should it be a concern in research? Objectivity arguably does not exist in an absolute sense. In other words, take advantage of your position as a Muslim observer of Islam or Muslims in your particular context.
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