ANALYZING ALONG THE WAY

This chapter emphasizes the importance of engaging in analysis of the ethnographic record throughout the course of the research project and provides guidance for how best to pursue analysis while the project is ongoing. Analyzing the ethnographic record while still engaged in research involves organizing the information collected to that point and looking to identify emergent themes. At this point, it is also helpful to revisit the original research question(s) and proposal to see both what goals have been accomplished and how the focus of the project may have begun to shift during the course of research. Ongoing analysis allows the researcher to seek feedback from informants and to engage in process writing that will aid in the final ethnographic products.