Ethnography as a research strategy has prevalently been used in anthropological circles and the in the study of the concepts that pertain to society and culture. Alternatively, ethnography has been described as the process through which apply strategies to enable them to explore, examine and record societies that formulate the human experience. This is together with the observation and analysis of the cultural practices of the societies together with the traditions that provide them with an identity ( Brummel ‐ Smith et al., 2016) . In ethnography, the researcher plays a critical role in the formulation of conclusions in addition to the determination of the nature and validity of the data that will be collected through the research process.
To this extent therefore, it is safe to conclude that the ethnographer is also a research instrument given the extent to which they determine the outcomes of the study and the nature of information that is used to formulate conclusions. Additionally, an ethnographer aims at defining the findings and conclusions of a study according to their perspective and opinions on what the vital aspects of their research entail as opposed to normal research studies that issue a perspective into the views and experiences of the subject ( Brummel ‐ Smith et al., 2016) . The aim of the ethnography therefore to some extent could be identified as the ability to issue researchers with an opportunity to gain a deep understanding of the operations of a subject group, community or institution and to aid other individuals to gain this comprehension.
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Essential Elements
The most essential element of an ethnography is the ability of the ethnographer to identify a suitable topic to expound on ensuring that it is a relevant topic, one that is suited to improving the lives of the members of society or revealing vital issues that affect the current society ( Brummel ‐ Smith et al., 2016) . For instance, expounding on the relationship between acculturation and adaptation of immigrants in the US is critical at a period in time when the plight of immigrants and minority communities in the United States continues to be highlighted at impressive rates ( Iphofen & Tolich, 2016) . Additionally, the society has understood the diverse nature of the American population and the need to ensure that the society is closely knit despite of their diversity. Moreover, delving into Wang’s (2013) study reveals the extent to which the researcher and the research interact with each other and the nature of this interaction given the prevalence of the conduct of research in the current generation.
Additionally, a critical and essential element of an ethnography is the construction of a research design by the ethnographer or researcher who is performing an ethnography. It is vital for the researchers to link the questions to the methods that will be used for the research in addition to the formulation of a research question from the topic. This helps in guiding the construction and selection of the instruments that will be used to perform an ethnography in addition to assessing the practicability, measurability ( Iphofen & Tolich, 2016) . Additionally, this concerns the consideration of the ethics pertaining to the handing of the research subjects together with the information that has been collected.
With regard to data handling, data collection in the research process of an ethnography is a vital aspect to ensure that the results and conclusions of the study are accurate and fully representative of the subject matter ( Iphofen & Tolich, 2016) . Research findings delineate to the fact that an ethnographer should be keen on the instruments used to collect data given that an ethnography demands for great detail within the ethnographic data. Note taking is one form of recording information that is prevalently used by ethnographers given the ability of notes to offer individuals with permanent reference material of the events and observations that they have made ( Luciano, 2018) . Moreover, the use of recorders is additionally a popular form of data recording given the fact that recordings are able to capture great detail of information from the research subjects of a given study.
Ethnographies use data collection procedures that are prevalent and poplar with research studies which are qualitative in nature and which aim to assess culture and customs of different societies ( Plowman, 2017) . Participant observation is an essential data collection method that is ideal given its time saving characteristics. Additionally, the use of interviews, through informal interactions and conversations is additionally a popular medium of data collection with regard to ethnographies. The use of interviews calls for good listening skills and the ability to discern the important aspects of the interview that the researcher deems vital for advancing their subject matter. Wang (2013) expounds on the issues that he faced while trying to gain access to research participants of the research study.
Moreover, an important element of ethnographies is ethnographic maps which are based on the principles of space and movement which are regarded as key components of culture. The establishment and creation of these maps often consists of the cognitive or conceptual maps that are created which map interior spaces together with the use of the map to represent movement and behavior of individuals ( Plowman, 2017) . Additionally, as in any other research process, the analysis and coding of ethnographic data is an essential step in the performance of an ethnography, this often pertains to the ability of individuals to identify key themes and questions. The ethnographer should see to it that the appropriate theories are selected and applied to the data that has been collected ( Plowman, 2017) . In addition to the selection of theories, the presentation of ethnographic data must appropriately suit he audience, the subject and the analysis to ensure that the greatest emphasis is placed on the ethnographic detail.
Sensitivities and Ethical considerations when conducting an Ethnography
When conducting ethnographies, sensitive issues are bound to arise given the fact that the society that is affected by a given issue is assured of following up on and reading on material and literature that expounds on a given aspect that affects them. Moreover, the ethnography is a critical reflection of the culture and the values of a society and to this extent therefore, it should reflect an attention to the intrinsic value that the members of a given society have attached to their cultural practices and beliefs.
The ethical considerations during the research process are vital for ensuring that the results of a research process ae valid, accurate and reliable. Adhering to the ethics of research pertains to the considerations or the codes and guidelines which are often structured as the obligations that the researcher and the study have to the community ( Luciano, 2018) . Moreover, it pertains to the recognition of ethical principles which encompass aspects such as the act of beneficence which pertain to acting in a virtuous manner together with non-maleficence which regards the avoidance of harm doing by individuals ( Luciano, 2018) . The researcher additionally has to figure how to straddle falsehood and reality to achieve the goals of the research study. The use of falsehood to elicit thee required reaction from the subjects and participants is a common practice in research even though questions are raised on what the extent of the falsehood amount to immoral action and unethical practice.
To this extent therefore, it is noteworthy that the role of the ethnographer extends to ensuring that the autonomy, wellbeing and safety of the participants and subjects of a research are assured and adhered to ( Luciano, 2018) . Additionally, the privacy, dignity and psychological wellbeing of participants must be ensued to assert that the research process is committed to the enhancement of the development agenda of the subject communities or societies in the ethnography. Disclosure of vital aspects of the research study to the research participants is an imperative aspect of the research process and to this extent therefore, participant interest must be ensured to ensure that the research study does not interfere with the practices of behavior of individuals ( Plowman, 2017) . Moreover, an ethical consideration in the conduct of an ethnography is the ethical consideration with regard to the dissemination and reporting of research findings. The reporting of the findings of a study should be done in a sensitive manner that is careful to appeal to and adhere to the basic principles of beneficence and non-maleficence.
Moreover, informed consent is a vital aspect of the ethical considerations of a research process especially given the fact that it plays a vital role in ensuring that the research process prioritizes the interests of the researchers as is applied by Wang (2013). Additionally, exploitation is an ethical consideration that pertains to the manner in which the participants are treated during the collection of information. Furthermore, this pertains to the use of the research findings together with the information given on how the information collected is to be used. To this extent therefore, the ethical considerations of a research process can be concluded to critical contribute to the manner in which the research process is conducted and the nature of the information that is collected.
References
Brummel ‐ Smith, K., Butler, D., Frieder, M., Gibbs, N., Henry, M., ... & Saliba, D. (2016). Person ‐ centered care: A definition and essential elements. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society , 64 (1), 15-18.
Eberle, T. S., & Maeder, C. (2016). Organizational ethnography. Qualitative Research , 121.
Iphofen, R., & Tolich, M. (Eds.). (2018). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research ethics . Sage.
Luciano, P. A. (2018). Ethnographic and Qualitative Research Methods.
Plowman, L. (2017). Revisiting ethnography by proxy. International Journal of Social Research Methodology , 20 (5), 443-454.
