--- title: "Ethnographic survey and its methods" subject: "Technology, Environment and Society" chapter: 2 key: "semester_7/technology_environment_and_society:ethnographic-survey-methods" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/ethnographic-survey-methods site: BCT Engineering --- # Ethnographic survey and its methods Technology, Environment and Society · Chapter 2: Development Approach - Asked in: 2081 Bhadra, 2+6 marks - Video: [Ethnographic Research - Meaning, Purpose, How to Conduct it, Advantages and Disadvantages (224)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZCS7CxX1dc) — Marketing91 - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/ethnographic-survey-methods - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/technology_environment_and_society/chapter-2 ## Question What is meant by ethnographic survey? Describe about key ethnographic approaches/methods and its suitability to collect data and information. ## Short answer An ethnographic survey studies a community from the insider's view using participant observation, key informant and in-depth interviews, FGDs, case studies and PRA tools. It is best for understanding culture, social relations and real needs before projects, but not for statistically representative numbers; combine with structured surveys if needed. ## Answer An **ethnographic survey** is a qualitative study in which the researcher lives with or closely observes a community to understand its culture, beliefs, social structure, livelihood and problems **from the people's own point of view**. It answers "how and why people live and think the way they do", which numbers alone cannot show. #### Key ethnographic approaches and methods 1. **Participant observation** – the researcher stays in the village, takes part in daily work, festivals and meetings, and records what people actually do (not only what they say). 2. **Key informant interview** – long, open talks with knowledgeable people such as elders, teachers, health workers, ward members and local healers. 3. **In-depth / semi-structured interview** – a checklist of topics is used, but the talk is flexible so that new issues can come up. 4. **Focus group discussion (FGD)** – 6–12 people of similar background (e.g. women farmers) discuss one topic guided by a facilitator. 5. **Case study and life history** – detailed story of one household or person, e.g. a migrant worker's family, to show causes and effects. 6. **Participatory (PRA) tools** – resource mapping, social mapping, transect walk, seasonal calendar, wealth ranking, Venn diagram, time line; people draw and rank things themselves. 7. **Field notes, photographs and documents** – diaries, sketches, local records and audio/video kept for later analysis. #### Suitability to collect data and information | Method | Best suited for | Limitation | |---|---|---| | Participant observation | Real behaviour, customs, hidden practices | Time-consuming, observer bias | | Key informant interview | Local history, rules, power structure | Depends on who is chosen | | In-depth interview | Personal views, sensitive issues | Small sample | | FGD | Shared opinions, needs, conflicts | Dominant members may lead | | Case study | Deep cause–effect understanding | Hard to generalise | | PRA tools | Resources, wealth, seasons; works with non-literate people | Needs skilled facilitator | **Overall suitability:** ethnographic methods are most suitable when the aim is to understand culture, social relations, gender roles, traditional knowledge and real needs before planning a project (e.g. a drinking-water or road scheme). They give rich, trustworthy and context-specific information and build rapport with the community. They are less suitable when quick, statistically representative numbers are needed; then they should be combined with a structured questionnaire survey (triangulation). ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. An ethnographic survey is: A. A numerical sample survey only B. A laboratory test C. A satellite mapping method D. A qualitative study where the researcher lives with or observes a community to understand it from the people's own point of view Answer: D. It explains how and why people live and think as they do, which numbers alone cannot show. (Key point: Meaning of ethnographic survey) 2. What is the key strength of participant observation? A. It records what people actually do, not only what they say B. It is fast and cheap C. It gives large statistical samples D. It avoids researcher bias Answer: A. Staying in the village reveals real behaviour and hidden practices, but takes time and may be biased. (Key point: Participant observation) 3. What is a limitation of focus group discussion? A. Cannot reveal shared opinions B. Dominant members may lead the discussion C. Requires one person only D. Is unsuitable for needs and conflicts Answer: B. FGD is good for shared opinions and needs, but dominant members can steer it. (Key point: FGD limitation) 4. When quick, statistically representative numbers are needed, what should be done? A. Use ethnography alone B. Use only key informants C. Combine ethnographic methods with a structured questionnaire survey (triangulation) D. Skip data collection Answer: C. Ethnography is less suitable for representative numbers, so triangulation with a questionnaire survey is advised. (Key point: Triangulation) ## Related in Technology, Environment and Society - [Resource mapping and ethnographic survey](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Aresource-mapping-ethnographic) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 2 - [LEP, ethnographic and participatory approaches](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Alep-ethnographic-participatory) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 2 - [LEP, approaches and engineer's role in community](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Alep-engineer-community-development) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 2 - [Hurdles in industrial to information transition](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Ftechnology_environment_and_society%3Ahurdles-industrial-info-transition) — Technology, Environment and Society, chapter 3 ## Related in other subjects - [Updating information across survey stages](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Ainfo-updated-stages) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 2, asked 3× - [Reconnaissance survey information](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Ftransportation_engineering_i%3Arecon-survey-info) — Transportation Engineering I, chapter 2, asked 2× - [Major clustering approaches](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdata_mining%3Aclustering-approaches) — Data Mining, chapter 5 - [Graphical drawbacks; statistical approaches](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fdata_mining%3Aanomaly-graphical-statistical) — Data Mining, chapter 6