Introduction
Ethnography involves studying the behavior of people by either observing or interviewing the targeted group. At a pandemic time like the current COVID-19, it is challenging to conduct an ethnography study due to restrictions on social gatherings. I recently visited the Explore Zion National Park to observe how Americans are behaving pandemic rules. The study involved observing how different types of people related, starting from the children, youths, and adults. Regarding the previous years, it is expected that children will be playing in groups, youths will be walking as a team, and adults could gather in groups to socialize. However, this was not the case because people were staying at least one meter from each other to contain the spread of COVID-19. I saw people greeting each other by only waving from a distance with their facemasks covering their mouths and nose. The behavior of the people had changed in terms of socializing and gatherings.
Research Method
One of the best research methods for collecting qualitative data is observation. The methodology involves observing and analyzing the natural and real-world setting of the targeted audience. This was the best sit to complete the research because it is always busy hence providing a wide range for collecting data. A large number of people visits the park for their vacation and through this one can find a variety of behaviors among the people. The collection of data from the large sample size facilitates the credibility of the study as some segments may have a common character.
The primary collection of data through observation involves the application of ethical standards. Data collection and research ethics need to be put in place to ensure that the values of the targeted audience are not violated. Although direct interventions with people are not involved when collecting data through observation, ethical concerns should be taken into account to ensure that norms on the confidentiality of people are not violated. The basic rights of the residents must be respected and taken into account when collecting data. I considered ethical standards by maintaining the confidentiality of the targeted group at the park. No pictures were taken to expose the lifestyle of the audience involved in the study to the third party.
Three Key Situations
The transition in the behaviors of people due to the pandemic can be explained using three situations encountered while at the park. The first situation is the use of face masks, that is from the children to the adults. Everybody was wearing masks to contain the spread of COVID-19, as directed by the world health organization (Derksen et al., 2020). The use of facemasks is a behavioral change among people, and we have to do this until the virus is fully suppressed. The second situation that reveals the change of behavior among people is washing hands. The establishment of water points with sanitizers in different parts of the park is a clear indicator that people have changed their perspectives on hygiene. Personal hygiene is key in containing the virus as prescribed by the ministry of health. People in the park could voluntarily sanitize and wash their hands which is a new norm.
From the observation, one could tell that there was an aspect of social distancing in the park. People stayed at least one meter from each other to minimize the chances of contracting the virus. Therefore, no gatherings could be noted at the park, unlike in the past when people used to gather with friends and families to enjoy. The findings from the observation study validate the health belief model in containing the spread of the COVID-19. Measures such as sanitizing, social distancing and wearing of masks were practiced by everybody starting from men and women, wealthy and poor, and young and adults. The above three situations at the park tell me how the pandemic has changed the social behaviors of people in society (Derksen et al., 2020). Everyone is focusing on their lives only to prevent the infection of the virus.
Conclusion
With the help of ethnographic studies, one can easily study the behaviors of a given group of people through observations. Observation at the Explore Zion National Park reveals that there has been a great change in the behaviors of people since the outbreak of COVID-19. While at the park, people are seen wearing facemasks, sanitizing, washing hands, and keeping social distance. The social relationship among the people has changed as people cannot gather in groups and socialize. In comparison with my own experience, life has really changed due to COVID-19. I sanitize from time to time, wear facemasks and maintain social distance while in public. Before the pandemic, I could travel to different places and interact with different kinds of people. However, the current measure does not allow me to interact with people due to the spread of the disease. From the findings, COVID-19 containment strategies have affected the social behaviours in society. The future research question is, what is the impact of COVID-19 containment strategies on human behaviours?
Reference
Derksen, C., Keller, F. M., & Lippke, S. (2020). Obstetric Healthcare Workers’ Adherence to Hand Hygiene Recommendations during the COVID‐19 Pandemic: Observations and Social‐Cognitive Determinants. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 12(15).