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Experimental Ethnography: The Marriage of Qualitative and Quantitative Research

Author

Listed:
  • Lawrence W. Sherman

    (American Academy of Political and Social Science, Department of Criminology at the University of Pennsylvania)

  • Heather Strang

    (Centre for Restorative Justice at the Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University)

Abstract

Experimental and ethnographic research methods are often described as mutually exclusive. This article suggests how they could be combined in the method of “experimental ethnography.†Building ethnographic methods into the separate branches of randomized controlled trials could substantially increase the range of conclusions that can be produced by experimental research designs, as well as by ethnographic methods. Experimental designs offer greater internal validity for learning what the effects of a social program are, and ethnographic methods offer greater insight into why the effects were produced. The prospects for such integration depend on the capacity of two different communities within social science to work together for the common goal of discovering truth.

Suggested Citation

  • Lawrence W. Sherman & Heather Strang, 2004. "Experimental Ethnography: The Marriage of Qualitative and Quantitative Research," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 595(1), pages 204-222, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:anname:v:595:y:2004:i:1:p:204-222
    DOI: 10.1177/0002716204267481
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. repec:mpr:mprres:3694 is not listed on IDEAS
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