The ethnographic approach is essentially the traditional systems analysis approach enriched by contact with sociology and social anthropology. A close variant has been adopted by Digital, called Contextual Inquiry . Benefits Provides a holistic view of tasks being studied with an emphasis on context and as such helps in understanding work setting. Doesn t require any prior domain knowledge on the part of the investigator. Produces a written document detailing work and culture.
Limitations Only describes current work practice.
The analysis of field notes, video tapes and transcripts is time consuming and must often be completed by the person who recorded them. Ethnography is not a rigorous approach as it relies on inference by the ethnographer as to what is going on in a particular situation. May be difficult to integrate results into a specification. . Cost of use Requires the personal involvement of an investigator who must be open minded, possess good social skills and have been trained in observational techniques. May require considerable investment of time and effort in order to integrate investigator into the environment to be studied.