Q.1 What is the primary method used in ethnographic fieldwork?
Survey research
Participant observation
Laboratory experiment
Archival research
Explanation - Participant observation involves living among the study population to observe and engage in daily activities, a central method in ethnography.
Correct answer is: Participant observation
Q.2 Which of the following is an ethical concern in ethnographic fieldwork?
Maintaining personal friendships
Obtaining informed consent
Recording only public data
Avoiding travel costs
Explanation - Ethnographers must ensure participants understand the study and voluntarily agree to participate, respecting their autonomy and privacy.
Correct answer is: Obtaining informed consent
Q.3 What is 'emic' perspective in ethnography?
Analysis from the researcher's viewpoint
Analysis from the community's viewpoint
Statistical measurement of culture
Historical comparison of cultures
Explanation - The emic perspective focuses on understanding culture as insiders perceive it, emphasizing native interpretations and meanings.
Correct answer is: Analysis from the community's viewpoint
Q.4 Which term describes an ethnographer’s detailed written account of field observations?
Field notes
Case study
Survey report
Literature review
Explanation - Field notes are detailed records of observations, conversations, and reflections collected during fieldwork, forming the basis of analysis.
Correct answer is: Field notes
Q.5 Which method involves asking structured or semi-structured questions during fieldwork?
Interviews
Participant observation
Cultural mapping
Genealogical method
Explanation - Interviews allow researchers to collect verbal data directly from participants, either using pre-set questions (structured) or flexible prompts (semi-structured).
Correct answer is: Interviews
Q.6 What is the main goal of a life history interview in ethnography?
To record economic transactions
To document an individual’s personal experiences over time
To create fictional stories
To measure social networks numerically
Explanation - Life histories provide insights into how cultural, social, and historical contexts shape an individual’s life experiences.
Correct answer is: To document an individual’s personal experiences over time
Q.7 Which ethnographic technique maps relationships and kinship patterns within a community?
Genealogical method
Participant observation
Archival research
Focus group discussion
Explanation - The genealogical method records kinship and social ties, helping ethnographers understand social organization and inheritance patterns.
Correct answer is: Genealogical method
Q.8 What is a 'rapport' in ethnographic fieldwork?
A formal agreement between universities
Trustful relationship between researcher and participants
A written field report
A type of statistical analysis
Explanation - Building rapport allows participants to feel comfortable sharing information and enables more accurate ethnographic insights.
Correct answer is: Trustful relationship between researcher and participants
Q.9 Which type of ethnography focuses on understanding a particular social process or problem?
Focused ethnography
Longitudinal ethnography
Autoethnography
Comparative ethnography
Explanation - Focused ethnography is designed to study specific issues or practices within a culture rather than providing a broad description of the entire society.
Correct answer is: Focused ethnography
Q.10 What is the primary difference between quantitative and qualitative methods in anthropology?
Quantitative involves numbers; qualitative involves detailed descriptions
Quantitative is more ethical than qualitative
Qualitative uses surveys; quantitative uses interviews
There is no difference
Explanation - Qualitative methods like ethnography focus on depth and context, while quantitative methods rely on numerical measurement and statistical analysis.
Correct answer is: Quantitative involves numbers; qualitative involves detailed descriptions
Q.11 Which type of data is most commonly collected in ethnographic fieldwork?
Numerical data
Qualitative data
Experimental data
Secondary data
Explanation - Ethnographers primarily collect qualitative data such as observations, interviews, and narratives to understand social life in context.
Correct answer is: Qualitative data
Q.12 Which concept emphasizes the importance of cultural relativism in ethnography?
Judging other cultures
Avoiding cultural bias
Standardizing cultural practices
Imposing universal values
Explanation - Cultural relativism encourages understanding cultures on their own terms without imposing the researcher’s own cultural standards.
Correct answer is: Avoiding cultural bias
Q.13 What is 'fieldwork fatigue' in ethnography?
Physical exhaustion from travel
Emotional and psychological strain from prolonged immersion
Lack of funding for research
Difficulty in writing reports
Explanation - Extended engagement in fieldwork can lead to stress, emotional fatigue, or burnout due to intensive social and cultural immersion.
Correct answer is: Emotional and psychological strain from prolonged immersion
Q.14 What does reflexivity in ethnography refer to?
Considering the researcher’s influence on the research
Recording only objective facts
Avoiding participant interactions
Publishing findings anonymously
Explanation - Reflexivity requires ethnographers to critically examine how their background, biases, and presence affect data collection and interpretation.
Correct answer is: Considering the researcher’s influence on the research
Q.15 Which type of observation involves the ethnographer participating fully in the community?
Overt observation
Covert observation
Full participant observation
Detached observation
Explanation - In full participant observation, the researcher actively engages in community life to gain insider perspectives on social practices.
Correct answer is: Full participant observation
Q.16 What is a 'thick description' in ethnography?
A detailed account of social context and meaning
A brief summary of observations
A statistical report
A fictional story based on culture
Explanation - Thick description explains not only what people do but also the meanings and context behind their actions, a key concept by Clifford Geertz.
Correct answer is: A detailed account of social context and meaning
Q.17 Which method is useful for studying hidden or sensitive social groups?
Covert ethnography
Participant observation
Archival research
Survey research
Explanation - Covert ethnography involves studying groups without full disclosure of the researcher’s role, often used for sensitive or hidden populations.
Correct answer is: Covert ethnography
Q.18 Which of the following is a limitation of ethnographic fieldwork?
In-depth understanding of culture
Potential researcher bias
Rich qualitative data
Long-term community engagement
Explanation - Ethnography provides detailed cultural insight but may be influenced by the researcher’s subjective perspective and interpretations.
Correct answer is: Potential researcher bias
Q.19 What is the purpose of using multiple methods in ethnography?
To increase accuracy and validity of findings
To reduce fieldwork duration
To avoid ethical issues
To simplify data collection
Explanation - Using triangulation or multiple methods allows cross-verification of data, enhancing reliability and depth of understanding.
Correct answer is: To increase accuracy and validity of findings
Q.20 Which type of ethnography focuses on the researcher’s personal experience within a culture?
Autoethnography
Focused ethnography
Comparative ethnography
Longitudinal ethnography
Explanation - Autoethnography combines self-reflection and cultural analysis, emphasizing the researcher’s personal experience as part of the study.
Correct answer is: Autoethnography
Q.21 Which of these is a potential ethical dilemma in ethnography?
Choosing research topics
Balancing honesty with confidentiality
Traveling to field sites
Collecting numerical data
Explanation - Ethnographers often need to report findings truthfully while protecting participant identities, creating ethical challenges.
Correct answer is: Balancing honesty with confidentiality
Q.22 Which type of fieldwork is conducted over a long period to study change in a community?
Longitudinal ethnography
Cross-sectional ethnography
Focused ethnography
Autoethnography
Explanation - Longitudinal ethnography tracks cultural and social change over extended periods, often years, to observe processes and developments.
Correct answer is: Longitudinal ethnography
Q.23 Which of the following best defines participant observation?
Observing social behavior without interacting
Participating in community life while observing it
Recording only statistical data
Studying historical documents
Explanation - Participant observation blends active participation with systematic observation, allowing ethnographers to understand cultural practices from within.
Correct answer is: Participating in community life while observing it
Q.24 What is one challenge of conducting interviews in ethnography?
Participants may provide biased or socially desirable answers
It requires no preparation
It is purely quantitative
It eliminates the need for observation
Explanation - Interviewees may modify responses to appear favorable, requiring careful question design and cross-checking with other methods.
Correct answer is: Participants may provide biased or socially desirable answers
Q.25 Which tool helps ethnographers organize and analyze field data?
Coding and thematic analysis
GPS navigation
Laboratory instruments
Online surveys
Explanation - Coding and thematic analysis enable ethnographers to categorize qualitative data, identify patterns, and derive meaningful insights from field notes.
Correct answer is: Coding and thematic analysis