Qualitatively analyzes the stories that 23 preadolescent foster children told about their lives. An ecological framework in conjunction with the social constructionist understanding of stories guided the ethnographic semistructured interviews. These stories contained both common and unique features and provided insight into the lives of foster…

Describes the variety of literacies demonstrated among a group of "thru-hikers" walking the length of the Appalachian Trail. Explains ethnographic field notes, archival data, and interviews showed the presence of multiliteracies and the use of "ecological literacy," the ability to interpret the natural surroundings. Provides suggestions for…

Research anthropologists are using experimental ethnographic writing to reveal the kinds of hidden agenda that both researchers and informants bring to anthropological field work, questioning what constitutes truth in an ethnographic account. (MSE)

Reviews the contribution of ethnographic research to discourse analysis, focusing on discourse practices as a reflection of cultural context; educational applications and the discontinuity issue; literacy as a focus of discourse-oriented ethnographic research; and implications for applied linguistics. A 9-citation annotated and a 50-citation…

A Deaf social club in Philadelphia provides insight into the culture of urban Deaf Americans. Through connections with national Deaf organizations, openness to the larger community, provision for free and relaxed communication, a cohesive spirit, and an informal mentoring structure, it demonstrates what members themselves call "The Deaf…

Examines a traditional Mayan village in the Yucatan where deaf inhabitants use a sign language that is distinct from that used in other Mexican communities. Because the hearing villagers are able to communicate in this sign language, the deaf inhabitants are almost fully integrated into the social and economic life of the village. (22 references)…

Defines the student authority problem as one of authorship. Considers how writing instruction tends to side-step the problem. Illustrates how a critical engagement with current ethnographic writing provides a way to understand the provisional nature of any writer's authority. (MG)

Advocates an ethnographic, diagnostic approach for analyzing social meanings associated with contemporary technologies. Outlines a normatively based theoretical framework to guide research into how communications technologies may serve or impede the goals of identity, orientation, self-knowledge, and community. (SR)

The mainstream economy and culture are unable to compete with the money, respect, and identity that selling crack offers. The infiltration of organized crime and narco-dollars into the local economy, the inadequacy of entry-level wages, and the breakdown of basic public services have created a new kind of poverty. (CJS)

Examines how drug traffic affects child-care arrangements used by families trying to survive in a high-risk neighborhood. Small children may be left with unemployed or older relatives, older siblings, or with children barely older than themselves. Older-generation caregivers in particular need support to continue to care for children. (CJS)

Interviews with 10 rural elderly residents with less than elementary education had the following findings: (1) they were motivated to change by desire to satisfy coping and expressive needs; (2) earlier means of compensating for lack of literacy skills were not effective in later years; and (3) lack of adequate literacy skills negatively affected…

A five-year longitudinal ethnographic study explores the relationship between the temporal organization of neighborhood activities and the social engagements of urban African American teen mothers. Found that courting activities occurred during the morning, baby parading during the afternoon-evening, with teen mothers avoiding the illicit drug…

Discusses resonances and basic issues of the four language and social interaction divisions of the National Communication Association and the International Communication Association: Ethnomethodology, Conversation Analysis, Microanalysis, and the Ethnography of Speaking (EM-CA-MA-ES). (Author/VWL)

Discusses ethnographic performance texts (sometimes called ethnotheatre or ethnodrama), which employ traditional techniques to mount a performance event as an alternative mode of research representation, with actors portraying actual research participants. Discusses ethnodrama's rationale, content and structure, participants and characters,…

Interviews with two Cambodian immigrant families over 2 years revealed how they relied on each other more than formal service providers to cope with difficulties. They focused on children's education and safety, insulation of the family from external influences, and interdependence with the immigrant community. (SK)