Ethnographic research: oral interview
4-5 pages double spaced
An ethnography is a long term investigation of a group (often a culture) that is based on immersion in and, optimally, participation in that group. Ethnography provides a detailed exploration of group activity and may include the collection of historical information and in-person interviews of members of the group. It is an approach which employs multiple methodologies to arrive at a theoretically comprehensive understanding of a group or culture. Ethnography attempts to explain the web of interdependence of group behaviors and interactions.
In this assignment, you will interview a disabled or chronically ill person and make observations about the person based on your understanding of what it means to be a member of this social category. Remember that disability and chronic illness include both visible and invisible elements, and that there is great variation in age, class, ethnicity, and gender identity. You may also interview the parent of a child with a disability as long as the parent can speak on behalf of the child’s social experience or experience in society. You will use your knowledge of course concepts related to disability identity and group belonging.
The interview can take place in person or, if absolutely necessary, over Skype, but not on the phone. It is important that you read facial expressions and have a sense of the respondent’s non-verbal communication. You should find out as much as you can about the respondent’s relationship to the social category of disability or chronic illness and sense of group membership.
Include the following in your paper: 1. Your understanding of the ‘story’ of the disabled/chronically ill person. Ask for specific examples that can help you understand their personal and social history and experience with this disability/illness. Remember to remain detached and objective in your questions and your recording of responses. You may incorporate your own analysis when you use the readings to inform your paper. 2. The responses to specific questions that will give you an understanding of some of the following: (Note that your respondent will most likely not know about these scholarly ideas, so your interview should first explain the goal of the assignment and that you are studying the Sociology of Disability and Chronic illness. Then, explain your purpose in asking the specific question.)
a. Does the respondent claim disability identity as outlined by Simi Linton? Why or why not?
b. Does the respondent see disability or chronic illness identity as fixed or variable? Is disability/illness on a ‘spectrum’ as opposed to an individual being either disabled or nondisabled (a binary)?
c. Does the respondent feel discredited or discreditable?
d. How does the respondent relate to or experience life according to the medical model versus the social model of disability? What about the ‘sick role’?
e. How does the respondent exemplify some of the concepts expressed in Goffman’s Stigma (in particular, group identity, passing, covering, and moral career)?
You do not have to obtain answers to all of these questions, but you must address question “e.” I want to see that you have engaged the second half of Goffman’s Stigma in this assignment. You will have to reframe and contextualize these questions so that the respondent can understand them. Also, you may think of different questions related to the readings that will give you a good understanding of your interviewee’s social experience. I strongly recommend that you send me your list of questions so that I can give feedback before you conduct the interview. Remember to be respectful and sensitive to your interviewee. Take the time during the interview to write down notes, or ask your respondent if you can record the interview. Thank them after the interview is over.
Organize the interviewee’s ‘story’ and the interview responses into a clear, well-written paper. You can organize the responses by interview question or by the reading assignment that you used. You may include subheadings in your paper.