ethnomethodology: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Academic/Technical)Academic/Technical
Quick answer
What does “ethnomethodology” mean?
A sociological approach that studies the methods and practices (common sense reasoning) people use in everyday life to produce and make sense of social order.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sociological approach that studies the methods and practices (common sense reasoning) people use in everyday life to produce and make sense of social order.
A branch of sociology founded by Harold Garfinkel, focusing on the detailed, empirical study of how individuals construct their social reality through practical, often unspoken, methods of interaction and communication.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or definitional differences. Spelling conventions follow standard UK/US patterns in compound words (e.g., 'methodology' is spelled identically).
Connotations
Carries the same highly specialised, theoretical connotation in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally rare outside of specific sociological and qualitative research contexts in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “ethnomethodology” in a Sentence
the ethnomethodology of [noun phrase: e.g., everyday life, work practices]an ethnomethodology [that/which clause: e.g., that challenges positivism]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ethnomethodology” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He analysed the transcripts ethnomethodologically, focusing on turn-taking.
American English
- The data was interpreted ethnomethodologically.
adjective
British English
- The researcher took an ethnomethodological approach to studying queuing behaviour.
American English
- Her paper was grounded in ethnomethodological principles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Core term in sociology, social theory, qualitative research methods, linguistics (discourse analysis), and communication studies.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only be used when discussing academic sociology.
Technical
Used precisely within sociological research papers, method chapters, and theoretical debates.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ethnomethodology”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ethnomethodology”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ethnomethodology”
- Misspelling as 'ethnomethodolgy' or 'ethnomathodology'.
- Using it as a synonym for any qualitative or ethnographic method.
- Pronouncing it with the stress on 'meth' (/ˈmeθ/) instead of on 'dol' (/əˈdɒl/, /əˈdɑːl/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ethnography is a broad method for describing cultures and groups, while ethnomethodology is a specific theoretical approach analysing the methods people use to create social order in any interaction.
The American sociologist Harold Garfinkel is considered the founder, developing the approach in the 1950s and 1960s.
A key ethnomethodological technique where researchers deliberately break a social norm (e.g., standing too close, answering a greeting with silence) to reveal the usually unnoticed rules that maintain social order.
Almost exclusively in university-level sociology, linguistics, or communication studies courses, and in specialised academic journals.
A sociological approach that studies the methods and practices (common sense reasoning) people use in everyday life to produce and make sense of social order.
Ethnomethodology is usually academic/technical in register.
Ethnomethodology: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeθ.nəʊ.meθ.əˈdɒl.ə.dʒi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeθ.noʊˌmeθ.əˈdɑː.lə.dʒi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: ETHNO (people) + METHOD (their ways) + OLOGY (study of) = the study of people's everyday methods for creating social reality.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY IS AN ONGOING, PRACTICAL ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is most closely associated with ethnomethodology?