etnografinë

In Albanian, etnografinë refers to ethnography, the systematic study of people and cultures through fieldwork. It is a core approach in anthropology and sociology, aimed at describing social practices, beliefs, and daily life within their specific contexts rather than testing universal theories.

Ethnography relies on immersive methods such as participant observation, in which the researcher participates in everyday activities while watching and recording what happens; interviews and life-history work; collection of artifacts, documents, and audiovisual material; and the writing of field notes and ethnographies that convey the meanings of observed behaviors. Ethical considerations, including informed consent, confidentiality, and respectful representation, guide fieldwork.

History: Ethnography emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as researchers moved from armchair speculation toward long-term fieldwork. Figures such as Franz Boas and Bronisław Malinowski shaped its practice with field-based methods and cultural relativism, while Clifford Geertz popularized the idea of thick description as a way to interpret cultural symbols and practices.

Applications and forms: Ethnography produces descriptive monographs and reports; it is used to study communities, organizations, and online groups through digital or online ethnography. Variants include rapid ethnography for time-limited projects and virtual or online ethnography focusing on digital spaces. Ethnographic findings inform policy, education, marketing, public health, and community development.

Limitations and critiques: Ethnography can be time-intensive and resource-heavy, with potential biases from the researcher's presence and perspective. Critics discuss representation and ethics; contemporary practice emphasizes reflexivity, collaboration with communities, and transparent methodological reporting.