Restudy in ethnography refers to the practice of revisiting a community or population previously studied by an ethnographer in order to understand changes, continuity, or new developments over time.
It is an important aspect of ethnographic research as it allows researchers to gain insights into the dynamics of social change, cultural transformation, and historical processes within a particular community. Here are some reasons why restudy in ethnography is important, along with examples:
- Understanding Social Change: Restudy enables ethnographers to track changes in social, economic, and cultural life within a community over time. For example, anthropologist Margaret Mead’s restudy of the people of Manus Island in the Pacific provided insights into how colonialism, globalization, and modernization had transformed traditional social structures and cultural practices since her initial fieldwork in the 1920s.
- Documenting Continuity and Resilience: Restudy allows researchers to identify aspects of culture and social organization that have remained resilient or unchanged despite external pressures or historical events. For instance, anthropologist Oscar Lewis’s restudy of the Mexican village of Tepoztlán over several decades revealed how certain cultural traditions and social practices persisted despite rapid urbanization and modernization processes.
- Longitudinal Perspective: Restudy provides a longitudinal perspective on social phenomena, allowing researchers to observe patterns, trends, and fluctuations over an extended period. This longitudinal view is valuable for understanding the complexities of social dynamics and the interplay of various factors shaping a community’s trajectory. For example, anthropologist Carol Stack’s restudy of the African American community in the Mississippi Delta over several decades revealed how economic changes, migration patterns, and government policies influenced family structures and social relationships.
- Validation and Reflexivity: Restudy allows researchers to validate or refine their initial findings and interpretations through comparative analysis over time. It also promotes reflexivity by encouraging researchers to critically reflect on their own biases, assumptions, and interpretations in light of new evidence or changing circumstances. For example, anthropologist Raymond Firth’s restudy of the Tikopia people in the South Pacific prompted him to reconsider some of his earlier interpretations and theories in light of new data and theoretical developments.
- Ethical Engagement: Restudy reflects a commitment to ethical engagement with research participants and communities by fostering ongoing relationships, dialogue, and collaboration over time. It acknowledges the agency and perspectives of community members and allows for their voices to be heard in the research process. For example, anthropologist Nancy Scheper-Hughes’s restudy of the Brazilian shantytown of Bom Jesus da Mata over several decades involved ongoing collaboration with local residents, who actively participated in shaping the research agenda and interpreting the findings.
In summary, restudy in ethnography is important for understanding social change, documenting continuity and resilience, providing a longitudinal perspective, validating interpretations, and fostering ethical engagement with research participants. Examples from ethnographic research demonstrate how restudy contributes to our understanding of the dynamic and multifaceted nature of human societies and cultures over time.