The Importance of Ethnography - Essay Example

SOCIOLOGY PAPER: Ethnology Research Project Paper about Rocks Australia Introduction Ethnography has been further d as a particular matter thatdeals with the origins of a particular group of people. Basing from the study of their culture and traditions that they are currently dealing with, the study of ethnology tries to bring out the significant differences that each group of people have from each other (Douglas, et al, 2006). Basically, through the years, the different procedures of understanding people differences have escalated towards becoming more certain and specific in approach mandating the possibility of creating a better understandable source of information that better insists the importance of diversity in the society that a particular group of people is enjoined with. For this particular research, the focus of ethnographic study shall be better insisted on the people living in Rocks Australia (Erickson, et al, 2000). The researcher intends to find out how the location and history of Rocks Australia affect the way of living of the people residing in it and the perception of the people who are simply visiting the place. Methodology Through the application of a collaborative research approach, the researcher of this ethnographic presentation intended to see the different features of Rock, Australia itself and that of the people residing in it. Through the collaborative research approach, the researcher and his colleges were able to establish a particular standing in the process by which they attain to create a more significant distinction towards the originality of the culture and the traditions that the society living in Australia is practically living in (Fine, 2001). The basic features of this methodology is that of the process by which the researchers themselves would have a first-hand observation of the ideal matters that creates and further recreates the lives of the people within their communities (Miller,2002). The researchers have practically seen the effectiveness of this methodology as they consider the need to make a practical observation on the society, its location, its build-up and other elements that makes it up so as to be able to particularly identify the instantaneous consideration that is needed in identifying the people of the area and how they are living or even possibly how their ancestors have lived before in connection with the present living situation of the people. Besides plain research and observation, tying the garnered outcomes from the said procedures are tied up with the necessary choices of theories that could be used to identify the reasons behind the issues of changes that happened to the society in focus that has been evident through the years. Among the theories to be examined to come up with a usable source of ethnographic information about Rocks, Australia is that of the theory of sense of place by Basso; another theory is that of the emotional geography (Kottak, 2005). These elemental theories that further explain the reasons behind social advancement and ethnological development of a particular group of people within a certain area of consideration are seen by the researcher to have a great impact on how the systems of progress present in Rocks Australia could be better understood and clarified (Miller, 2002). The clarification of such identifiable developments in the society residing within the territories of Rocks Australia is eyed by the researcher as an institutionalized basis of understanding the why's and the how's behind the immense progress not only of the place in Rocks but also that of the people residing within it. (Spradley 2003) Results The researchers were able to observe that many people residing, as well as of those simply visiting the area, consider Rocks, Sydney as a particular place of rich history and integrative past that could stand as the mark of its identifiable uniqueness in all Sydney. Basically sided with the French and European culture, Rocks, Australia has particular characteristics that are basically the same as that of the said regions of the world. Through observing the location's built up based on the buildings surrounding it, the researchers have closely seen the effect of the European culture towards the people reflected through the European style buildings in the area. These definitive presentations of architectural art have practically shown where or to which particular culture is the society of Rocks, Australia basically connects itself with (Salvador, et al, 2005). Perhaps, this obvious connection to the European culture reflected through the matters that are obviously seen within the systems of living of the people living in the said place are the very basic reasons why Rocks, Sydney is now considered as a separately unique place from all of Sydney. Besides the surroundings, the researchers also closely observed the people. Although there were some groups in the society that remained traditional in nature, it could not be denied that there are those who were affected by the effects of modern globalization. In all of Sydney, at least 24% of the population resides within the territories of Rocks. Among those who reside in the area are families of both locals and that of the immigrants that have transferred in the area from other countries. It could not be denied through observing the lives of these individuals, the researchers were able to decipher how much globalization has already affected the communities not only in Rocks but also in relation to the situations that other individuals from other parts of the world need to face at present. Critical Discussion As observed by the researchers, there have been particular marks of development as well as massive changes in the lifestyle of the people residing in Rocks, Sydney. IT could not be denied that somehow, these changes have been further imposed because of the major consideration placed upon the fact that people are likely affected by the procedures of globalization and how it is being applied in the society in concern for observation. Globalization has been totally recreating the whole society of man ever since it has been introduced to the worldwide economy. Its aims of remaking the economic system of the world trade activities have also affected the main issues that concern mankind. One of its biggest contributions to the human civilization is much connected with information revolution which instead of bringing the people of the world together, has created greater barriers for people belonging to different economic brackets. Hence, although the growing cultural connection that is being built between economic allied countries have in many ways been serving as a worldwide connection, it could not be denied that it also creates chaos between people who have been coming from different races and moving together in a certain industrialized country. True to its sense, among the globalization's direct effect to different countries around the world, is the fact that the constant growth of international industries has opened bigger and better opportunities of employment for people in the city. As a result, there came to be massive immigration rates which attracted families from lesser fortunate countries to transfer to other places which could promise them better life in terms of economic stability. Globalization is perceived as bringing unprecedented opportunities to billions of people. The staggering expansion of world trade has induced a wave of productivity and efficiency and has created new jobs. True, because of the existence of the new technologies that assists globalization expansion, it could not be denied that only through a click of the mouse, and there could be numerous acts that could be done by hackers and surfers towards the economy of industrially shifting countries. Another point of consideration involves smaller countries which could not afford the global trade expenses. Hence, they are left behind as other bigger countries are able to compete in the economic arena of world trade activities. Certainly, even though the influences of mostly the western culture floods the information industry, it could not be denied that families continue to apply at least some of the most applicable cultures that they could still retain in their dealings with a modern style of living. For many poor families especially, living within their means, which is usually hosted by their original culture, they are able to survive the challenges of a globally competitive lifestyle. In Rocks, Sydney, these changes are evident. It has been directly observed by the researchers that people in the area describe their locale as a basic source of both their dream's fulfillment as well as failure. It naturally depends on how they deal with the new challenges offered to them by globalization every now and then. The denial of the fact that these changes are already evident could also be seen among some residents. However, such matters of denial are basically considered to have a strong impact on how the people perceive their homeland. Meanwhile, those who visit Rocks, Sydney could not say more than just the ideal comment on how beautiful and relaxing the place is. This is the practical reason why many people still indulge in visiting the area and enjoying the wonderful scenery that it offers to its visitors. Beyond that though, these visitors know less about the fact that the people of Rocks, Sydney also have to deal with certain challenges that define their residential rights in the area. Truthfully, this research and discussion presentation insists the importance of seeing the people in and out of the area to actually define a particular city or any place's identity that makes it a unique epitome of hope and inspiration for the people who resides in it and for those others that visits it. The different instances of seeing the traditions, the cultures, the lives and the residence of the people living in Rocks, Sydney basically aided the researchers in understanding how place reflection and perception basically insists on the definition of the different elements that makes up the area considered through this ethnographic study. Overview / Conclusion Ethnography mainly deals with the influential relationship between the social environment and its elements and the human beings and their psychological aspect. This field mainly addresses the psychological field through the social structure and system in the society and how it significantly affects the mental processes of each individual. This attitude generally perceive human beings as individuals or as a group as the main unit of analysis employing the common social behavior of interacting with other individuals as part of the social system developing their distinctive individuality and personality. In this concept, as each individual interact with other individuals, they develop their own identity with their own social perception and psychological personality. In the aspect of its application, this study is significantly relevant in profiling and understanding the psychological nature and personality of the subject by considering his or her social backgrounds and experiences while he or she interacts with others as part of the social system. Through seeing the people separately through the lives that they live, through the perceptions that they have towards the lives that they are living in the area that they are residing in, the researchers of this study were able to define Rocks, Sydney, Australia in a better perspective that allowed them to show the insights that are needed to be described for the sake of the readers' understanding of the issue in concern. Truthfully, with this study, the researchers were able to see how ethnographic studies are able to decipher the different elements that make up a society, establishing its importance to the global growth of development and globalization and how the said matters affect the lives of the people living in areas such as that of the historical land of Rocks. Of course there are some instances that the people and their lifestyle do not completely remain in the same path basically because of the fact that they tend to live in a changing world. No matter, it should always be considered that beyond these changes, some things remain in the same status that they are in ever since the said societies spurred to existence. In this case, Rocks, Sydney Australia has been closely examined through its people, its culture and its history. Through these three particular elements, it has been learned that even though Rocks Australia has already embraced a new sense of living as seen from the culture of its people, some things from the past never stray to catch the attention of the present modern generation both living and visiting the area. Reference list: Rocks, Australia. http://www.sydney.com.au/rocks.htm. (September 28, 2009). Douglas, Mary and Baron Isherwood (2006) The World of Goods: Toward and Anthropology of Consumption. Routledge, London. Erickson, Ken C. and Donald D. Stull (2000) Doing Team Ethnography : Warnings and Advice. Sage, Beverly Hills. Fine, G. A. (2001). Ten lies of ethnography. Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, 22(3), p. 267-294. Hymes, Dell. (2002). Foundations in sociolinguistics: An ethnographic approach. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. Kottak, Conrad Phillip (2005) Window on Humanity : A Concise Introduction to General Anthropology, (pages 2-3, 16-17, 34-44). McGraw Hill, New York. Miller, Daniel (2002) Material Culture and Mass Consumption. Blackwell, London. Spradley, James P. (2003) The Ethnographic Interview. Wadsworth Group/Thomson Learning. Salvador, Tony; Genevieve Bell; and Ken Anderson (2005) Design Ethnography. Design Management Journal. Read More