Week 14

My favorite data source for my mini ethnography is a combination of interviews and observations provided from my informants. These are my favorite pieces of data because you learn more about the culture on a personal level. You develop a more personal relationship with your sources, which in turn allows you to dive deeper into their minds than straight statistical data would allow. Though previous scientific research is the majority (or at least the base) backing my findings, you learn more intricate details and some startling facts about your sub-culture. It takes a bit more work to wade through the mirages that appear through some of your observations (fronts that individuals put up), however, these “mirages” are also valid pieces of information. Also, when you do develop inter-personal relationships with you informants it makes it MUCH more difficult to look at the data objectively. But, that challenging aspect of gathering the information may be why I enjoy it the most.