Geo-ethnography: Coupling Geographic Information Analysis Techniques with Ethnographic Methods in Urban Research

TLDR

The study draws on data collected from a multi‑site investigation of low‑income families and their children. The authors aim to develop geo‑ethnography, coupling GIS with ethnographic data to creatively extend GIS applications in welfare research and refine existing methodologies. They integrate ethnographic observations of families and neighborhoods into GIS, using the combined spatial and qualitative data to situate family actions over time and space, and outline conceptual challenges and practical strategies for merging qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Abstract

This research article focuses on the coupling of geographic information system (GIS) technologies with ethnographic data, an approach we refer to as geo-ethnography. The data used here were gathered in an ongoing, multi-site study of low-income families and their children. Throughout our work, the goals have been to think creatively about how GIS can be used in welfare research, to stretch the technology, and to revise the methodologies we currently use. We specifically discuss the ways in which the ethnographic data on families and neighbourhoods have been integrated within a GIS and how these two methods, alone and in combination, help situate families’ actions and experiences in time and space and enhance data analysis and interpretation. More specifically, we focus on conceptual and methodological issues we have faced in the process of this integration and on practical strategies for combining qualitative and quantitative research.