B8846 - Ethnographic Methods and Research Ethics

Learning outcomes

This course equips students with foundational training in research methods, focusing on ethnographic approaches, to support original research endeavours. Emphasizing ethical standards, the course ensures that students understand how to design and conduct research in accordance with academic norms, applicable legislation, and international data protection laws, including those of the EU and other relevant regions. Students will gain practical knowledge of key research techniques and learn to navigate the ethical complexities of fieldwork, including informed consent, confidentiality, and responsible data management. At the end of the course, they will apply their skills to develop and present ethically and methodologically robust research proposals. Through a combination of theoretical insights and hands-on practice, this course provides a comprehensive foundation for ethical and effective research across diverse contexts.

Course contents

This course offers a critical and practical introduction to ethnographic methods, with a strong emphasis on ethics and responsible research practice. We begin by establishing core ethical principles, including informed consent, data protection, and the challenges of working with vulnerable participants. Students will explore a range of methodological approaches, both conventional and experimental, while considering the broader political and ethical implications of fieldwork.

Topics include walking as method, participatory and visual techniques such as photovoice and theatre, and collaborative approaches like participatory action research. We examine strategies for tracing materials, money, and connections across sites, as well as newer frameworks such as patchwork ethnography and multimodal research. Students will learn how to take effective fieldnotes, use surveys and life histories, and reflect on the emotional dimensions of fieldwork.

The course also addresses how to study powerful institutions, work ethically with digital tools and AI, and approach writing as a central part of ethnographic practice. Throughout, students will be encouraged to think critically about their positionality and to develop ethically sound, methodologically robust research proposals. The course concludes with practical training in concise, clear research communication.

Readings/Bibliography

Essential introductory readings (additional texts for specific topics and optional further readings on Virtuale)

Bernard, HR, & Gravlee, CC (eds) 2014, Handbook of Methods in Cultural Anthropology, Bloomsbury Publishing USA, New York.  https://ebookcentral-proquest-com.ezproxy.unibo.it/lib/unibo/detail.action?pq-origsite=primo&docID=1734036

AAA ethics guidelines: https://americananthro.org/about/anthropological-ethics/

https://www.theasa.org/ethics/guidelines.shtml

Teaching methods

Ethnographic methods and research ethics is a practical course, taught on the Ravenna campus only. It will rely upon role play and practical reflection on decision making and good practice in simulated field situations, and all students must therefore attend the classes. Attendance is mandatory and participation in class contributes to final assessment.  Each topic will be explored using group activities and discussion following a brief introduction. Preparation before each class is essential, through readings and experimenting with the methods covered. 

Assessment methods

Students must gather their notes, data, analysis, and other materials produced during class activities to compose a portfolio required for the exam. Students will additionally write a two-page research proposal, which they must present and discuss alongside their portfolio at the exam. The research proposal and a descriptive summary of the portfolio must be submitted at least one week before the exam. This proposal should normally represent the student's planned dissertation research.

Students must demonstrate initiative and are strongly encouraged to explore appropriate scholarly readings beyond the course bibliography, and to draw on their own experience experimenting with methods and practices discussed in the course.

Be informed that the use of generative artificial intelligence is considered a form of plagiarism.

The ability of the student to demonstrate critical thinking, initiative, originality and/or creativity as well as to achieve a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the topics addressed by the course, to critically assess them and to use appropriate language will be evaluated with the highest grades (A = 27-30 con lode).

A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course's contents together with gaps and deficiencies in terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will result in grades ranging from good (B = 24-26) to satisfactory (C = 21-23).

A low level of knowledge of the course’s contents together with gaps and deficiencies in terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will be considered as ‘barely passing' (D = 18-20) or result in a fail grading (F).

Office hours

See the website of Marc Andrew Brightman