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GATE 2026 XH5 (Psychology) – Question 55

Research Methods and Statistics · Nature of Quantitative and Qualitative Research: Interview, survey, observation, experiment, quasi-experiment, field studies, focus groups, narratives, case studies, ethnography · 2 marks · Multiple select

In ethnography, “thick description” is associated with:

  1. Meaning structures of a culture-sharing group
  2. Clifford Geertz
  3. Sigmund Freud
  4. Co-construction of meanings during research interactions

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Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: (A) Meaning structures of a culture-sharing group; (B) Clifford Geertz

Explanation

Thick description is the detailed account of social behaviour in its context that brings out the meanings it has for the people of a culture-sharing group. The term was made known in anthropology by Clifford Geertz. It has nothing to do with Freud.