An Analysis of the Ethnographic Conceptual Framework

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The ethnographic conceptual framework examines group classifications and relationships and their effects on individuals. These classifications can represent a variety of groups from people with different ethnic backgrounds to nurses on different units. There are benefits and disadvantages to grouping people and classifying their actions; there is a risk of stereotyping people but there is also the possibility of gaining a better understanding of an individual. In this paper, I will explore the strengths and weaknesses of using the ethnographic conceptual framework by investigating applications of the framework.

There are many positive aspects of using an ethnographic conceptual lens. The lens examines how social interactions influence various occurrences. As social beings, culture and social groupings certainly play a role in our lives and therefore, there is a need for more understanding of ethnography. In healthcare a good understanding of a person’s culture can provide nurses with valuable information about their patient’s world views.

Becker (2007) examined the classification of eating disorders through an ethnographic approach and discovered the profound effects of disregarding a person’s cultural background. In his research, he looks at universally accepted definitions for the eating disorders anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). He identified areas in which the DSM is not culturally appropriate, for instance past research that shows how a lack of 'fat phobia' in patients in Hong Kong led to them being misclassified as not having eating disorders (Lee, Kwok, Liau & Leung, 2002 as cited in Becker, 2007). Becker suggests that the lack of culturally appr...

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... with Full Text database.

Becker, A. (2007, November 2). Culture and eating disorders classification. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 40, S111-6. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from CINAHL with Full Text database.

Centeno, J., Anderson, R., Restrepo, M., Jacobson, P., Guendouzi, J., Müller, N., et al. (2007, July 17). Ethnographic and sociolinguistic aspects of communication: research-praxis relationships. ASHA Leader, 12(9), 12-15. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from CINAHL with Full Text database.

Clabo, L. (2008, March). An ethnography of pain assessment and the role of social context on two postoperative units. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 61(5), 531-539. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from CINAHL with Full Text database.

Gutiérrez,K.D., Rogoff, B. (2002). Cultural ways of learning: Individual traits or repertoires of practice. Educational Researcher. 32(5), 19-25.

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