What does 'ethnography' refer to in anthropology?

Ethnography refers to a systematic study and detailed description of a culture through fieldwork. This approach is central to cultural anthropology as it involves immersive research where the anthropologist observes and interacts with the community being studied. Through this method, researchers collect qualitative data that captures the complexity of social practices, beliefs, and everyday life, allowing for a deep understanding of the cultural context.

Fieldwork can include participant observation, interviews, and other immersive techniques which help anthropologists gain insights that quantitative analyses and surveys might miss. Ethnographies aim to present a rich narrative that reflects the lived experiences of the people within a culture, ultimately contributing to broader anthropological knowledge.

In contrast, the other options focus on different methodologies that do not encapsulate the primary essence of ethnographic work, which is about detailed cultural descriptions and the firsthand experiences of participants in their natural settings.