How to Conduct a Mini-Ethnographic Case Study: A Guide for Novice Researchers

TLDR

Mini‑ethnographic case studies are valuable for student researchers because they allow blending of designs to mitigate limitations, and the authors, experienced ethnographers, guide this approach. The study aims to show how to design a mini‑ethnographic case study that is feasible for students with limited time and finances. The authors recommend selecting a design that best answers the research question, achieves data saturation, and can be completed within a reasonable timeframe and minimal cost.

Abstract

The authors present how to construct a mini-ethnographic case study design with the benefit of an ethnographic approach bounded within a case study protocol that is more feasible for a student researcher with limited time and finances. The novice researcher should choose a design that enables one to best answer the research question. Secondly, one should choose the design that assists the researcher in reaching data saturation. Finally, the novice researcher must choose the design in which one can complete the study within a reasonable time frame with minimal cost. This is particularly important for student researchers. One can blend study designs to be able to use the best of each design that can mitigate the limitations of each as well. The authors are experienced ethnographers who currently chair dissertation committees where a student has chosen a mini-ethnographic case study design.