Institutional Ethnography Research in Global South Settings

Abstract

Within institutional ethnography (IE), texts-reproducible written and graphic materials-are understood to play a central role in coordinating social relationships. This is the case because of their ubiquity and because texts allow proceedings in one place to influence actions in another. This article considers the role of texts in settings that are less text-saturated than the Western societies whose organization Dorothy Smith first sought to understand through IE. Drawing from insights of a study examining the social organization of maternity care in rural northern Uganda, I discuss the differences in the role of texts in Global South research including the role of illiteracy, the need to read for absences or silences, and the prominent role of international texts. Identifying texts and observing their role in sequences of action are nevertheless essential for institutional ethnographers working to understand social organization in the Global South. This article seeks to contribute to IE methodology in Global South research settings.

Remembering George W. Smith’s “Life Work”: From Politico-Administrative Regimes to Living Otherwise

“…We surveyed Smith's work to extend the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS -investigating people's everyday life challenges through his research, reframing the way in which these problems are discussed in public writing, and actively confronting the barriers that he identified through direct action. Speaking to how life work can be extended to these different areas, our analysis has much to offer activists and researchers committed to investigating and transforming the social organization of everyday life (Brulé, 2015;Butz, 2015;Chewinski, 2017;Frampton et al, 2006;Hampton, 2016;Rudrum, 2016;Smeltzer & Cantillon, 2015;Williams & Rankin, 2015).…”

Institutional ethnography as a unique tool for improving health systems

“…31,32 One of the main tenants of IE is that the social architecture is mediated by text which can include written, oral, or visual materials. 10,33 Institutional ethnographic aims to explore these ruling relations that exist institutionally to shift focus away from questions related to administrative concerns and objectified knowledge, toward the puzzles of peoples' everyday lives. [31][32][33][34] Using lived or common experiences as units of analysis are common in IE, where "the intent is to bring forward voices and experiences from the margins, with a view toward offering rich material for reflection and identifying topics for future research (pp.…”

Investigación Cualitativa en Ciencias De La Salud

“…Los textos, de acuerdo a su ubicación, permiten que los procedimientos en un lugar tengan influencia sobre las acciones que se dan en otro punto. Permite a los investigadores rastrear la coordinación translocal de las actividades (27). Estos investigadores se comprometen con un diálogo de datos, que se desarrolla durante la etapa inicial de la investigación entre el entrevistador y el participante que está siendo observado por el investigador (25).…”

“…Tanto los métodos para recoger como para analizar datos se corresponden con los etnógrafos convencionales. La Etnografía institucional ha sido utilizada en escenarios materno-infantiles de Uganda, examinando la organización social de atención en la maternidad en la zona rural norte de ese país, y confrontando las diferencias en el rol de los textos de la zona sur (27). A partir de esta metodología se identificó que en contextos de baja alfabetización, los textos operan de manera diferente que en los países de altos ingresos (27).…”

“…La Etnografía institucional ha sido utilizada en escenarios materno-infantiles de Uganda, examinando la organización social de atención en la maternidad en la zona rural norte de ese país, y confrontando las diferencias en el rol de los textos de la zona sur (27). A partir de esta metodología se identificó que en contextos de baja alfabetización, los textos operan de manera diferente que en los países de altos ingresos (27). Identificar los textos y considerar su rol en la sucesión de las acciones es esencial para los etnógrafos institucionales que trabajan para entender la organización social.…”