This photo belongs to Dr. Shannon Carter’s artifacts. I could say that I asked more questions when I first looked at this picture. I questioned who lives there; their backgrounds, their ethnicity and their social status, and why they live their not others. I think this is the spirit of the outsider researcher who might ask “trivial” questions but they of course give a firmer ground for a research.
What is the Best Way to Look?
I am very interested in the idea of the difference between the insider and the outsider ethnographer. In Ethnography and Composition: Studying Language at Home, Beverly Moss pointed out that the job of the insider ethnographer is easier because of the complete awareness of the community. I agree that this job seems easier; however, it is not that fruitful as we think. I believe that the outsider ethnographer sees and questions things, while people from that community have never thought of. This outsider reminds me of children when they start questioning everything they see or hear of. Unfortunately, many parents kill those stimuli in their children. “You know children are growing up when they start asking questions that have answers” said John Plomp. Unlike the insider ethnographer, the outsider is willing to notice every detail and to ask why it is there if it is present and why it is not there if it absent. The outsiders are always filled with the enthusiasm that instigates them to explore more and unravel puzzles.
So what should the insider do? I suggest the insider should get rid of all past experiences and to start examining things as if they just came to presence. Also, the insiders should not rely on what they are told by culture. We know that culture is acquired-- not learned. For example, people usually say “excuse me” when they want to pass if someone blocks their way. This “excuse me” is not taught at school, but the person picked it up from culture—it is acquired not learned. We do many things that we acquired from culture, and we don’t usually know why we do them—but this is the culture! Therefore, the insiders should “detach” themselves from this acquired “culture” and start questioning everything they see, hear, and notice—in other words, they should imitate the outsiders.
I love your metaphor of the outsider ethnographer as a child who questions everything. I think Moss' point is that the insider may have past experiences that are of value to the ethnography, but this prior knowledge should be identified and made explicit rather than remaining an assumption or a bias. The insider should not simply "get rid of all past experiences," but should not allow past experiences to preclude asking questions.
ReplyDeleteOkay Mmoud, Yes I think I quite agree with you on the issue of the insider not getting all the cooperation the researcher might need from his community, but also, the insider is at a more advantageous level to manourver his people to earn their trust than an outsider. But again, it all depends on the pattern of approach on the sides of both an Insider and the outsider.
ReplyDelete"the insiders should “detach” themselves from this acquired “culture”
ReplyDeleteThis is what I find interesting to discuss since researchers enter the research field for their objectives. It is easier to acquire information when they seem to blend with people or disguise their culture temporary. But another concern may arise; the ethical dilemma of being the researcher. Who we are?
Sunchai
I am ashamed to say that I have just now discovered your site. I love how you are incorporating pictures, thoughts, concerns, and the questions you pose. I agree that as we are now beginning in the real field-researching of our own project, it is a little nerve-wracking. I don't want to appear nosy, yet at the same time, I feel I will need to ask more direct and fuller questions in order to get my project to be helpful to other researchers. I am having a little bit of a challenge selecting questions that will be useful for my research question.
ReplyDelete