Understanding the world through ethnography: The experience of speech-language pathology practice in culturally and linguistically diverse settings

Qualitative research in health provides insight into the experiences, perceptions and interactions of clients, caregivers, health professionals and the broader community. In this paper, the use of ethnography is discussed as a qualitative research technique to facilitate the understanding of the practice of speech-language pathology in different cultural and linguistic contexts around the world. A description is provided of the different types of data collection methods that can be employed in ethnographic research (such as observation, interviews, photography, video recording, and personal reflection) and their usefulness in facilitating understanding of complex practice situations. Important considerations for designing and undertaking ethical and culturally appropriate qualitative research are explored and the benefits of qualitative research to the speech-language pathology profession are discussed.