Ethnography of Airport Culture
Ethnography can be described to be the study involving cultures. Ethnographic studies emphasize three key human factors, what people know, what they do and the things they use (Spradley, 2016). Spradley further discussed that cultural knowledge is among the vital and most significant factors that can be used to study human behaviour. The comprehension is that cultures determine how humans acquire knowledge as well as how they can convert the received information into behaviours or experiences. In sociological and anthropological studies, participants’ observations have been cited to be an essential practice. Furthermore, within the education field, specifically regarding qualitative studies, participants observations are crucial as it provides researchers with an opportunity to gather and collect information. In essence, thus, it is a significant and remarkable practice.
I selected airport culture as the topic of study. My qualitative observation so far has consisted of the aspect of modes of communication and/or behaviour at the airport. After thoroughly researching as well as considering the culture in the airport with respect to the definition we discussed in the class during the first week, I now feel that I have a reasonable and appropriate understanding of the airport culture. This topic was worthy of study because effective communication is considered to be one of the essential life skills to learn. Having good communication and behaviour aids in all life aspects from personal life to professional life as well as everything that comes in between. Good communication skills are important because they allow yourself and others to quickly and more accurately understand information. In case of an emergency in an airport, airport staff must communicate both externally and internally. On an airport culture, effective communication is essential for both the staff and passengers in the airport because it helps them perform essential functions and duties like organizing and controlling all that is taking place.
Methodology
My fieldwork of observing people’s communication and behaviour in the airport was a gratifying experience. I conducted my observation at San Francisco international airport. I was able to see how the aspect of communication and behaviour is established at the airport. I was also able to learn how staff communicate with passengers through direct (reactive)observation where the people realized I was observing them. I observed ten passengers interacting with three staff members while boarding the Aeroplan for a period of 10 minutes. Since communication is very important to both staff and the passengers, it was easy for me to observe how they value the aspects of both communication and behaviour. I had to dig deeper and investigate to learn about communication and behaviour at the airport. Still, qualitative observation, questions as well-performing of some academic research assisted me in getting a more precise understanding. Audios, videos and taking of notes were used as methods of recording my observation.
Observation Setting
San Francisco International is an international airport near San Bruno Francisco and Millbrae in an incorporated San Mateo County. It is 21 kilometres south of San Francisco downtown. It has flights to North America and also a significant gateway to both Asia and Europe. Firstly, I will provide a context to my findings by explaining some more information about the culture of San Francisco International Airport according to what we have learnt in class. Culture is generally described as a learned, shared, beliefs, symbolic systems of values and attitude that affect the perception and behaviour of people or place. Also known as a mental blueprint. The qualitative observation and research I have performed so far support the claim that San Francisco international Airport exhibits many of these characteristics. While I was observing the aspect of communication and behaviour, I ensured that I had kept the eight-part culture definition in my mind. Evidence for each point can be seen within the San Francisco International Airport.