On the ground, but not in the field? The (mis)use and portrayal of ethnography in community development literature

Ethnography is valuable, but the expressions of ethnography in the community development literature are inadequate. This methodological insufficiency showcases a failure by community development professionals to fully understand the communities they serve and jeopardizes the reputation of the community development field. We call for the development of a standard for the community development field that substantiates ethnographic methodology and production in research and practice. Ethnography requires empirical fieldwork consisting of multiple, well-integrated methods. Moreover, ethnographers should strive for polyvocal field-based study with community members who are both the subjects and co-producers of the resultant written ethnography. We reach and support our findings with an exhaustive review of 112 articles in leading community development journals that claim to utilize ethnographic study. Additionally, we provide a history of ethnography in community development, articulate ethnography in process and application, and suggest how to improve the reporting and practice of ethnography.