1 University of Montreal, Montreal, Québec, Canada.
Qual Health Res. 2019 Apr;29(5):739-746. doi: 10.1177/1049732318808802. Epub 2018 Dec 14.
Patrick O'Byrne criticizes the use of ethnography in public health research focused on cultural groups. His main argument is that ethnography disciplines marginalized populations that do not respect the imperative of health. In this article, I argue that O'Byrne has an erroneous understanding of ethnography and the politics of scientific research. My main argument is that a methodology itself cannot discipline individuals. I argue that if data are used as a basis to develop problematic public health policies, the issue is the policies themselves and not the methodology used to collect the data. While O'Byrne discourages researchers from conducting health research like ethnography focused on cultural groups, I argue the exact opposite. This has to do with justice and equity for marginalized communities and the obligation to tailor health services for their specific needs, which may not be the same as those of the general population.
帕特里克·奥布赖恩批评了以文化群体为重点的公共卫生研究中使用民族志的做法。他的主要论点是，民族志使不尊重健康必要性的边缘化人群受到了约束。在本文中，我认为奥布赖恩对民族志和科学研究的政治性存在错误的理解。我的主要论点是，方法论本身并不能约束个人。我认为，如果数据被用作制定有问题的公共卫生政策的依据，那么问题出在政策本身，而不是用于收集数据的方法。虽然奥布赖恩不鼓励研究人员开展以文化群体为重点的民族志等健康研究，但我持相反的观点。这与为边缘化社区伸张正义和公平以及为他们的特殊需求定制卫生服务有关，这些需求可能与一般人群不同。
