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Native American Ethnographic

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Methods To explore levels of media use and beliefs about representation, ethnographic interviews were conducted with Native American students enrolled at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande. Qualative methods were used to analyze the data collected. This was utilized through direct observation, communication with participants, analysis of texts, and following an ethnographic study. Ethnographic studies or ethnographic designs are “qualitative research procedures for describing, analyzing, and interpreting a cultural group 's shared patterns of behavior, beliefs, and language that develop over time” (Hart, 2006). To achieve this, interviews were done with ten native students at Eastern Oregon University. I chose ten students because there …show more content…

This study addressed several important questions, including the following: How do you feel about Native American representations in popular media (cinema, television, magazines, etc.)? How have these representations affected your perception of your ancestry? How do you think these representations will affect the future of your people? How do these representations differ from your traditions? Have your traditions changed over the last few decades with all the changes in pop culture? Can you give me a few examples of some of these representations that stand out to you (films, TV shows, etc.)? Overall, do you think Native American representation has improved over time? “The study followed a realist ethnography form of ethnographic design where the researcher reports on what is observed or heard from participants and produces participant views through edited quotations” (Hart, …show more content…

“This study used open ended questions in an internet survey and ethnographic interviews in order to gain a broad perspective on the subject and allow respondents the freedom to respond in an unrestricted way” (Thomason, 2011:1). In addition, I used the method of grounded theory by conducting interviews via email in case the subjects didn’t want to be interviewed face to face or be voice recorded, and observed different media sources. Before conducting research with these students, informed consent from the institutional review board (IRB) was needed because of the “potential for adverse consequences at a community or governmental level that are unrecognized by academic researchers” (Harding, et al. 2012). For this, I made my own consent form, explaining the process to my subjects, and assured them that no personal information would be given. As a researcher, it is important to be self-aware and have a respectful attitude toward various viewpoints. Treating all individuals and communities participating in research with respect is crucial to successful interviews. “It is an honor to work with Native American peoples in research” (Tafoya,

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