Ethnographic methods in libraries revisited

Abstract

Introduction. Ethnography has increasingly been utilised by social science researchers outside of social and cultural anthropology. We report here an analysis of the extent and nature of its use in library studies research over the past decade.

Method. Our study adapts and extends a content analysis of library studies literature conducted by Khoo et al. (2012), using a systematic search process to identify potentially relevant studies published since 2011.

Analysis. We coded the resulting corpus to establish whether articles were ethnographic using two interpretations of the term (one broad, one narrower). We also coded other aspects, including specific ethnographic methods used, library sector, country of research, and time in the field.

Results. While there remains interest in ethnography, its growth appears to have slowed. We note also that the term ethnographic has been used in this corpus to describe research involving participant observation (the narrower definition) only in 55% of cases.

Conclusion. Ethnography remains underutilised in library studies research, particularly in the context of public libraries.