A brief teaching note o realist ethnography as a research methodology

A brief teaching note on realist ethnography as a research methodology (information from perplexity.ai)

My question: "Briefly highlight the main ideas of realist ethnography as a research methodology in social science with regard to the following topics: (1) favored research philosophy, (2) favored research approach(es) (both on (i) the research methods (i.e. quantitative, qualitative mixed methods) and (ii) the reasoning approaches (i.e. inductive, deductive and abductive reasoning).) (3) favored research method design techniques, (4) favored research method design quality criteria, (5) favored data analysis techniques, and (6) favored researcher's impression management approach in conducting the realist ethnography as a research methodology."

The reply: "Realist ethnography as a research methodology in social science can be summarized briefly based on the following topics:

(1) Favored Research Philosophy:

Realist ethnography is grounded in a philosophical stance of realism, which assumes that there is an observable reality that exists independently of the researcher's interpretations but is also influenced by socio-cultural factors. It often aligns with critical realism, which combines ontological realism with a focus on social structures and human agency, seeking to explain how social phenomena arise from underlying mechanisms and contextual factors.

(2) Favored Research Approaches:

(i) Research Methods: Realist ethnography primarily adopts qualitative methods such as immersive participant observation, detailed field notes, direct interviews, and cultural artifact collection to produce rich, contextualized accounts. It may also embrace mixed methods approaches to complement qualitative data with quantitative elements if needed for comprehensive understanding.

(ii) Reasoning Approaches: Realist ethnography employs abductive and retroductive reasoning that go beyond mere description. Abduction allows for identifying plausible explanations from observed data, while retroduction involves theorizing about underlying causal mechanisms. Both reasoning modes help link empirical observations to deeper social structures and contexts.

(3) Favored Research Method Design Techniques:

The methodology emphasizes prolonged engagement in the field, immersive participant observation, comprehensive note-taking (including verbatim quotations), and reflexivity by the researcher about their influence on the setting. Data collection is iterative, with ongoing analysis informing successive data gathering phases, often guided by theory development from the observed phenomena.

(4) Favored Research Method Design Quality Criteria:

Quality is judged by the authenticity, contextual depth, and explanatory power of the ethnographic account. Criteria include thick description, accuracy of cultural representation, reflexivity (researcher awareness of biases), prolonged engagement, and transparency in linking empirical data to underlying causal explanations. Objective narration balanced with participants’ voices is key.

(5) Favored Data Analysis Techniques:

Data analysis involves detailed qualitative analysis such as coding for themes, patterns, and processes, combined with comparative methods and constant reflection to identify causal mechanisms. Critical realist ethnography also incorporates analytical techniques that reveal the connections between individual agency and structural influences, often using abductive and retroductive logic.

(6) Favored Researcher's Impression Management Approach:

The realist ethnographer aims for a stance of commitment to objectivity and transparency, balancing the immersive involvement with reflexive practices that acknowledge and mitigate the researcher's impact. They seek to preserve the authentic voices of participants, often including direct quotes and thick description, while maintaining a critical distance to interpret and explain observed phenomena credibly.

In sum, realist ethnography blends immersive qualitative fieldwork with critical realist philosophy, employing abductive and retroductive reasoning to produce rich, contextualized, and explanatory accounts of social life that faithfully represent cultural realities while linking them to broader social structures."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.