Introduction
In the social sciences, case study and ethnography are two popular research methodologies. While there are similarities between the two, there are also differences in data collection and the overall purpose of the study. This article aims to clarify these differences.
Case Study
A case study is an in-depth study of a particular instance, event, individual, or group. It can be explanatory or descriptive in nature, but its focus is on understanding the why’s and implications of the subject of study. Case studies draw conclusions based on prior research and systematic analysis of data.
Ethnography
Ethnography is the art and science of describing a group or culture. It is an investigative approach that requires the ethnographer to behave like a neutral observer, without imposing personal viewpoints or making subjective judgments. Participant observation is often used as a method of data collection in ethnography, where the ethnographer becomes a part of the group being studied and records observations without analysis.
Differences
– Ethnography focuses on describing a group or culture, while a case study focuses on a particular instance, event, individual, or group.
– Ethnography requires participant observation as a data collection method, while it is not necessary for a case study.
– A case study is more outward looking, focusing on the why’s and implications, whereas ethnography is more inward looking.
– Ethnography takes a longer time to conduct than a case study.
In summary, a case study is an in-depth analysis of a specific subject, while ethnography is an in-depth study of a group or culture. The methods of data collection and the perspectives of analysis differ between the two methodologies.
Key Takeaways
1. The difference between a case study and ethnography is that ethnography is a study of a culture or ethnic group, while a case study investigates a particular instance, event, or individual.
2. Ethnography requires participant observation as a data collection method, while it is not necessary in a case study.
3. A case study is more outward-looking, focusing on the why’s and implications of an event, while ethnography is more inward-looking and focused on describing a group or culture.
