A qualitative research approach used to understand
the culture of a specific group from the perspectives of
members of that group. Historically, ethnographic
research has focused on studying the structure and culture
of large groups. Recently, postmodernist
approaches have advocated for a shift in focus to
increasing our understanding of the uniqueness, importance,
and significance of an individual athlete’s lived
sport experiences (Dunn & Hughson, 2016).
Researchers seek to gain insight into the behaviors,
values, emotions, and mental states of individuals or
group members primarily through participant observation.
Observations are generally recorded systematically
using field notes, a research log, and a reflexive journal.
Alternate methods of collecting data include individual
and focus group interviews, analyzing texts and documents
related to the individual and/or group, photography
and videotape, and questionnaires (Krane & Baird,
2005). Ethnographers believe the best way to generate
knowledge and theoretical understandings of culture is
by seeing, doing, and feeling that culture first hand.
Their focus is both on the process of field research (i.e.,
gaining entry, building rapport, becoming a member of
the group) and the product of this process, usually in
the form of prose (Sparkes & Smith, 2014). This piece
of prose is often called an ethnography and is an
attempt by the ethnographer to recreate their observations
of a culture through generalized abstractions from
the different forms of collected data (Krane & Baird,
2005; Sparkes & Smith, 2014). Ethnographic research
also has the potential to enrich understandings of how
applied sport psychology concepts can be enhanced.
The process of becoming immersed in the context
allows researchers and practitioners to integrate into the
context and hear the voices of the athletes and coaches
with whom they work. This immersion and integration
can lead to deeper understandings and new ideas
through the introduction of new and different ways of
thinking (Krane & Baird, 2005).
