For Ethnography

Paul Atkinson’s latest contribution to the study of Ethnography and broader field of research design is intended as a provocation. Across its 200+ pages the book discusses Ethnography from a variety of angles in terms of its use in research and the scope for further development in this approach. The book is organised over 11 chapters with the first half of the book being concerned mainly with setting out Atkinson’s perspective on ethnography, and the implications of committing to this way of conducting research. The latter part of the book focuses on particular issues encountered during ethnography such as “Accounts and Narratives”, “Structuring Forms” and “The Ethics of Ethnography”. It is a stimulating text that deliberately foregoes an attempt to be comprehensive in covering the breadth of the field in favour of a rigorous (and challenging) exploration of how ethnography can be conducted effectively and less effectively. This means that while the book is deliberately not a “how to” guide for budding Ethnographers it nevertheless does provide a good deal of valuable insight that can inform researchers’ practical engagement with the world around us.

To offer a flavour of the text, Chapter 6 “Accounts and narratives” provides a good example of the book’s style. While acknowledging the importance of language and accounts from research participants, Atkinson is critical of research that seems to take these accounts out of their wider social context and forgoes thoughtful analysis of the roles played by language in a given context. “In practice, we too often find informants’, accounts of events, or memories, or descriptions of social action, reproduced as if they were transparent representations” (p. 93). In this way, Atkinson can help provoke reflection among researchers over whether popular practices in research and analysis are really maximising opportunities for generating deep insights.

As part of his discussion, Atkinson highlights problems or limitations with particular studies. Using specific examples proves helpful in illustrating particular points and Atkinson provides such critique in a balanced manner. Typically the critique conveys a sense of frustration over what more the particular author could have commented on, or provided insights into, rather than simply pointing out limitations in others’ work. In this way, criticism is incorporated in a measured way to pursue a line of argument rather than to pursue particular authors.

The book will appeal to a wide range of readers. Those who are starting out on their PhD journey will benefit from seeing how a leading practitioner engages with research insights. More experienced researchers can appreciate the challenging approach Atkinson adopts to prompt reflection on their own research practice and ways of understanding their time engaged with their field of study. While focusing on the use of ethnography in research Atkinson’s book serves as a broader reflection on research design that can benefit readers at a variety of stages.

Despite the book’s specific title and topic focus, the book is not solely of relevance for ethnographers. Atkinson goes out of his way to address broader questions of adopting appropriate methods in research design, setting out interesting questions and discussing the art of paying attention to the world around us. He also argues against the almost reflex approach to adopting cherished research approaches without first considering the case for their being appropriate for a line of inquiry and a setting.

For researchers interested in the study of employment and related issues, such as feature in the pages of Personnel Review, Atkinson’s book provides both an opportunity to reflect on how to conduct high quality and detailed ethnographic research into the vagaries of work and organisational life and also a means of sharpening our thinking about the surroundings we occupy, participate in and study. For Ethnography is a must-read book for those interested in ethnographic research and a valuable chance to reflect on research practice more generally for active researchers.