Journal of Contemporary Ethnography 

About: Journal of Contemporary Ethnography is an academic journal published by SAGE Publishing. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Ethnography & Poison control. It has an ISSN identifier of 0891-2416. Over the lifetime, 1134 publications have been published receiving 41398 citations.

The Social Contexts of Focus Groups

Abstract: This article argues that focus group discussions are shaped by multiple social contexts, a fact that is often ignored by researchers. Using data from a focus group study of the effects of violence on everyday life, this article provides an analysis of four such contexts: the associational, status (especially gender), conversational, and relational contexts. These multiple and overlapping contexts foster both problematic silences (lack of disclosure) and problematic speech (strategic shaping of comments) in group discussions. These processes limit the usefulness of focus groups as a tool for understanding individual thoughts, feelings, or experiences. However, they make focus groups an excellent site for analyzing the processes of social interaction. The article concludes with suggestions for improving the implementation and interpretation of focus groups in light of this analysis.

The Least-Adult Role in Studying Children

Abstract: Three membership roles adopted by researchers in studying young children are considered: a detached observer, a semiparticipatory and a complete involvement role The complete involvement role, tha