Applications and Insights of the Use of Ethnographic Research in a Local Context of Nepal

Authors

• Dipak Raj Rai, School of Education, Kathmandu University, NepalFollow
• Sunita Dangol, School of Arts, Kathmandu University, NepalFollow
• Megh Raj Dangal, School of Arts, Kathmandu University, NepalFollow

Abstract

This paper expounds on ethnographic research in comprehending the cultural, economic, and social nuances in the Nepali local community. The paper also emphasizes the significance of ethnographic research in providing profound insights into the daily lives, traditions, and interactions of cultural groups. This writing aims to describe the historical concept of ethnography, its philosophical standpoint, types of ethnography, fields of ethnographic research and commonly used methods for collecting ethnographic data. The main idea of the paper is to present the methods employed such as participant observation, ethnographic interviews, self-reporting, and artifacts that enable the researcher to obtain the true lived experience of the participants. Moreover, this paper provides information on the researcher's positionality, quality considerations, and ethical principles for conducting an ethnographic study. Likewise, the paper also underlines the relevance of ethnographic research. It highlights the challenges that ethnographic researchers may face, including languages, geographical inaccessibility and socio-political dynamics, which complicate ethnographic data collection and analysis in the Nepali context.

Keywords

ethnographic research, ethnographers, community, social science, Nepal

Author Bio(s)

Dipak Raj Rai is a Research Fellow at Kathmandu University School of Education with over 20 years of experience in community development. He holds master’s degrees in Sociology and Public Administration from Tribhuvan University, and in Indigenous Education and Development from Kathmandu University. His research focuses on Indigenous knowledge, migration, rural livelihoods, and grassroots development practices in Nepal. Please direct correspondence to raidipakraj@gmail.com

Sunita Dangol, a Ph.D. scholar in Department of Development Studies, Kathmandu University and the Acting Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, brings both academic and policy-level experience to the discussion. Her position as a civic leader and a researcher allows her to bridge academic insights with real-world application, particularly in inclusive urban development and governance.

Megh Raj Dangal is a professor of community development in the Department of Development Studies and a senior researcher specializing in qualitative research. He teaches research methodology and supervises Master's, MPhil, Ph.D., and postdoctoral scholars. Additionally, he serves as the Associate Controller of Examinations at Kathmandu University. With thirty-two years of academic experience, he has developed significant expertise in both qualitative research and community development.

Publication Date

8-2-2026

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended APA Citation

Rai, D. R., Dangol, S., & Dangal, M. R. (2026). Applications and insights of the use of ethnographic research in a local context of Nepal. The Qualitative Report, 31(7), 6175-6197.

ORCID ID

0000-0002-3067-7405

ResearcherID

3035596