Remember: This is an ACTUAL example, not a perfect example.  Some elements of the assignment have changed so keep the directions handy and do what I have asked you to do the best that YOU can.  In addition, you will notice some hyperlinks.  Those are places where I have inserted a comment you may find useful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethnography:

Portrait of an Adoptee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Author

Author

Author

 

 

 

 

 

Communication Studies 200, Section 001

Rick Olsen, Ph. D.

September 21, 2001

 

 

 

Ethnography:

Portrait of an Adoptee

The study our research team conducted revolved around interviewing a subject adopted at birth.  As an adopted person, she identifies with a sub-culture with which most non-adopted people in society are unfamiliar.  We used ethnographic research to better understand the subject and the sub-culture with which she identifies.  After the interview, the group was able to infer the effects this sub-culture has had on regularly influencing the subject’s life.

            Our research [RO1] noted a primary difference as evidenced in the particular vocabulary she used.  Some variances emphasized the impact the adoption sub-culture has had.  She labels herself as an “adoptee,” in reference to identifying herself as an adopted person; as well, she also makes frequent references to her parents as “A” parents versus “B” parents, to indicate whether she means her “adoptive” parents or her “birth” parents.  Additionally, while in the interview process the research team learned of her search for her birth mother, and how this experience has expanded her adoption-related terminology.  The subject made references to “Search Angels,” a group of volunteers who have also been touched by adoption and who give their time helping to uncover confidential birth record information.  As language shapes the person, the research team was able to infer through interpreting her vocabulary that the subject is a proud, comfortable, and involved member of her adoption sub-culture.  Her willingness to share these language variances reinforced these ideas and proposed new areas for analysis[RO2] .

            One of the areas the team analyzed was some of the distinct communication patterns the subject utilized.  During the interview, the team inquired about the subject’s personal relationships, and was intrigued to learn that the subject feels she has experienced some attachment issues when forming relationships.   One example she noted is that she tends to put up a guard to protect herself when getting to know new people.  However, interestingly enough, when meeting other adoptees she will abandon this guard and experience a feeling of having formed an immediate bond.  We concluded from our conversation with the subject that she exhibits an element of insecurity in communicating and that she relates better in a one-on-one situation as opposed to a group setting[RO3] .  

            In addition to patterns, the subject has established daily rituals.  In the past, she admits to having her search for her birth mother consume her.  She told us that not a morning passed where she did not awake without thoughts of her adoption.  In fact, one of her daily rituals has consisted of compulsively checking her email for responses from “Search Angels” regarding new information on her birth parents.  The leads she has gained have prompted her to focus a great deal of her energy and time investigating Internet sources.  Once our subject finally identified a possible match for her birth mother’s name, she related that she immediately felt more complete and decreased her search efforts.  However, until she confirms the validity of the name by initiating contact, we infer that she is fearful of rejection concerning pursuing a reunion[RO4] .

            Our research has also shown us that adoption has shaped the subject’s values.  She made a decision at an early age that she identified more with the pro-life movement, as she recognized her birth mother could easily have aborted her.  This also influenced her decision to keep her own child when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant out-of-wedlock.  The importance of having a blood relative became evident as she longed to have a relationship with someone possessing a genetic resemblance.  The subject elaborates on how this experience has further shaped her values: 

I’ve always wondered if mothers who were biologically related to their children experience a closer bonding feeling than do adoptive mothers.  Could not sharing that blood tie cause adoptive mothers to be any less nurturing?  It’s hard to say for sure, because I, myself, don’t have any adopted children to compare.  But, during my teen years my family was pretty dysfunctional and I often wondered whether my [adoptive] mom might have been more nurturing or more supportive if she had been my ‘real’ mom.  To this day, I still sometimes wonder if her inability to give birth to her own biological children wasn’t some sign from God that she chose to ignore (Name of source and date of interview[RO5] ). 

Obviously, these reflections indicate that the adoption experience has deeply colored the subject’s establishment of personal values.  Hence, the values noted only served to reinforce the research team’s assessment that the subject possesses an emptiness within her that has been somewhat diminished with the birth of her son. 

            Through our ethnographic research of our subject’s language, patterns and rituals, and values, our research team concludes that the she is an active participant in the adoption sub-culture.  Her feedback enabled us to go beyond our initial question and answer format to a deeper understanding of the adoption sub-culture.  Our study has given us an enriched perspective on the impact of adoption. 

 

Interview Questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [RO1]Qualitative/Interpretive research makes greater use of first person than empirical research.  It is acceptable to use first person throughout interpretive research because you are the main instrument of interpretation.  When you write your empirical proposals, however, you will minimize the use of first person.

 [RO2]A key strength to this example is the focus on vocabulary unique to the sub-culture under study.  Notice how you as an outsider would now be much more fluent in the language of the adoptee culture after reading this essay.

 [RO3]While interesting, this last sentence is not made relevant to the analysis.  Is this insecurity tied to her adoptee status?  If so, make it clear, if not, leave it out.

 [RO4]While it was good to infer some things from the interview, it is better to focus such inferences on patterns.  If the issue of fear was concern for the interviewers it, ideally, should be brought up in a follow up question such as “Why do you think you reduced your efforts to make contact after finding the names?”

 [RO5]Interpretive research focuses on capturing the subjective experience of participants in their own words.  While most of the write up is the researchers “decoding” of those words, the occasional use of quotations from the participants is expected.  Be sure to set up and interpret such quotations.