Traditional or Peopled Ethnography: From Process to Product

This chapter commences with a brief discussion of how traditional or ‘peopled’ ethnography has evolved and developed from social anthropology. Drawing upon examples from a broader ethnographic research project conducted in 2013–14, the chapter then progresses to outline what to expect when conducting fieldwork in educational settings. Consequently, the reader is guided through the planning phase prior to fieldwork, such as gaining access and establishing a role, moving through to the actual business of managing the self (and the ethical implications) in the social setting. The chapter then outlines what researchers should look for in the field, as well how to actually ‘do’ fieldwork (e.g. capturing fieldnotes). The chapter concludes by providing guidance on collecting, managing and analysing data, prior to writing up and establishing a dissemination strategy for the work.