Preliminary Field Standing Operational Procedures in Ethnographic Study

Sociological situations should always be considered when doing ethnographic studies because of the two primary components of the research: the ethnographer and the community that will be studied.  The relationship between the two involves a number of levels to consider since this has something to do with the living society in the midst of which the ethnographer will be operating.  One level will be the levels of authority that one has to deal with in the locality and secondly, the group that will be studied.

Not merely as a protocol or courtesy, most often it is beneficial to get in touch with the local authorities in the area of study, and to make a courtesy call upon arrival in the area.  Establishing the presence of local authorities in the area of study more often hopefully becomes advantageous to the researcher.  Making sure that there is a continuing line of communication with the local officials helps strengthen and ensure smooth relationship.  The local authorities can actually provide additional logistical support by way of existing facilities in their control such as communications, accommodation, transportation, connections and others.  If they are most willing to contribute to the fruition of the study, the ethnographer can determine whether the local political structure of those in power has a profound influence in the economic structure of the area.  If factions exists, the degree and alliance with factions must be considered very carefully and how these will affect the conduct of the ongoing study.  Errors of judgement in dealing with local authorities or their opponents can seriously affect the ethnographic study.   

Interaction with the local residents is one of the most critical aspect of ethnographic research.  Rapport must be established with them for there are members who may be the key to making the work more operational.  There may be certain individuals who can exert a large degree of influence and can contribute to the study due to the level of social significance or niche they occupy in the community.  It would be very useful if such a person can be found and probably engaged with in the work even on an informal basis.

Upon arriving in the study site, the first consideration is the establishment of base camp for operations.  Although a large amount of time will be concentrated on the immersion of the ethnographer with the study group, a base camp is still necessary to gather the fruits of the labor for the day to review the progress of the research.  It is imperative that one gets to view the entire project from the outside to ensure objectivity.  Establishing domesticity is the second consideration.  The research on site will never be able to take-off unless the ethnographer has settled down and established domesticity making sure that food and water and other necessary facilities are available.  Third consideration must be security.  Areas in the research site must be defined whether it may be made accessible to informants and non-informants.  If there is a need for a private area for placement of equipment and other paraphernalia, they musty be socially defined to maintain a level of control in the area, otherwise it might develop into an area of friction.  
To ensure the smooth implementation of task during the field study, minor but essential activities have to systematically arranged to optimize the precious time available in the field.  Sleeping, cooking, eating,working, storage, laundry should not take up most of the time.  Proper sanitation, clean drinking water, removal of health hazards should be strictly practiced to avoid unnecessarily getting sick.  The systematic organization of the physical aspects should complement well with the working tasks and schedules.  However, the schedule should offer a little degree of flexibility to accommodate unforeseen events that are relevant to the study.  Most important of all is setting a day of rest for the ethnographer to rejuvenate and replenish lost energy to be able to cope up with the new challenges in the days ahead.

The ethnographer is constantly exposed to health hazards because he is placed in an environment to which his body is new and may not have built up his immunities to a threat.  It is of utmost importance that health is seriously considered.  Adequate observance of safety and care must be practiced at all times because medical facilities and supplies will not always be accessible when needed.  Among the critical health challenges in the field is drinking water.  There are some occasions that potable water drank by residents may not be necessarily safe for the newly arrived ethnographer. Resident may have developed adaptive immunity to the drinking water but dangerous to a newcomer, thus resulting to diarrhea.  Many cases of digestive disorders in the field is the result of drinking such water.  Unless proven safe, it is safer to use the better side of discretion and refrain from drinking water you suspect may not be suitable for you.  Amoebiasis is a severe form of diarrhea which is usually contracted from drinking contaminated water.  Boiling the water may offer a certain degree of protection but  can be made better when accompanied by chemical treatment.  Today there are already lots of water purifier affordable and handy for a traveler.  

Another challenge in the field is the social situation the ethnographer might find himself in.  It is advisable to have a portable water canteen to carry during field studies.  In ethnographic work, especially when invited for dining in other houses, refusing food or drink may become a sensitive social problem.  This may be safely circumvented by devising conditions that requires the ethnographer to drink only medicated water due to an existing health condition.

Diseases offer an intimidating challenge even to the seasoned ethnographer.  In rural areas where the researcher is likely to go, there will always be a threat from malaria, filariasis and schistosomiasis especially when they are endemic in those places.  It is best to consult with the health office so that proper advice may be given on areas that needs to be avoided or if prophylactic medication is required when going to the place of interest is inevitable.  Prophylaxis is often taken long before the visit to the place to ensure that immunity is already in place prior to an impending exposure.  Continuous prophylaxis is still required long after leaving the place because if exposed, incubation of the parasite still takes about two weeks before symptoms appear.  One should never be complacent even after leaving the study site.  For added protection, insect repellants may be of great help.  Following established precautionary measures can go a long way in allowing you to accomplish your mission in your research site from day 1 until your departure.