Ethnographic Interview
Ethnography: Cultural Interview is the direct observation, reporting, and evaluation of the customary behavior of a culture.
As the preferred research method of cultural anthropologist, ethnography allows the researcher to learn directly from the individuals they are studying.
The objective of this assignment is threefold:
(1) to develop an understanding of ethnography and its
relationship to culture and communication
(2) to develop a comprehensive insight of another culture
(3) to develop intercultural communication skills that builds confidence in engaging with others to learn more about their values, beliefs, and experiences.
Procedures:
1. Select and interview a person (also known as an informant) who is from a different ethnic or cultural group than you. It is
suggested that students select an informant who has been in this country no more than ten years (this allows for a rich and in-
depth interview). Do not select a relative or family member.
2. Research the informant’s culture before your initial meeting. Plan how you will attempt to establish rapport. Be creative and
imaginative.
3. Explain to your informant that this is a class assignment
4. Review the interview questions. Prepare both formal and informal types of questions which will be started in class.
5. Record your feelings, expectations, and attitudes about this assignment before you begin the actual interview. This is
an essential part of the content of the paper.
6. Remember to treat your informant with respect. They are doing you a favor. One way to show respect is to avoid controversial
topics.
7. Determine how you will compensate your informant. Seek out a culturally acceptable form such as buying them a snack, cup of tea, or cup of coffee.
8. Proceed with the interview. Record questions and responses. You can take written notes, tape or video record the experience but develop a strategy after consulting with the informant.
Pre Interview and Post-Interview Questions (to be integrated into the final paper):
1. BEFORE you meet the informant, record your feelings, expectations, and attitudes about the pending interview and describe
how you prepared for the experience.
2. AFTER the interview, report how the interview went: (Best to take a few moments immediately after to record this information)
a. Describe how you explained yourself. Describe the general tenor of the experience from the beginning to the end. Did the conversation flow smoothly? Be candid and specific.
b. Describe how the informant responded to you.
c. Describe how you compensated the informant.
d. Describe what lessons this interview taught you and what lessons you would share with others about interviewing someone from another culture.
Types of Specific Questions:
1. Find out how the informant’s first impressions of this culture (and its people) were shaped.
a. Inquire whether friends (or family) preceded the informant to this culture.
b. Ask whether the media (for example, TV, movies) influenced the informant’s perceptions of this culture before and after his or her arrival.
c. Ask about the role of the advertising media in the decision to immigrate.
d. Explore how the informant’s views were shaped by her or his experiences at the port of entry (airport, train or bus stations).
2. Ask about what the informant misses most from her or his original culture.
3. Ask the informant what intercultural communication barrier(s) have had the greatest impact on her or his move to this country.
For example, have they experienced anxiety, racism, discrimination, ethnocentrism, language, verbal /non-verbal communication? (Attempt to elicit specific examples)
4. Explore cultural attitudes and cultural customs with your informant.