Using an Ethnographic Method to Explore Administrative Justice

Abstract

This chapter is an excerpt from a study in which an ethnographic methodology was used to explore the concept of "tribunal independence" within access to information and privacy commissions in Canada. This chapter sets out the theory behind the ethnographic method and discusses how it was applied. As not much qualitative empirical research has been done in Canadian administrative law, the paper offers a contribution to the literature and methodologies in the field.

Keywords: empirical research methods, qualitative research, ethnography,administrative law (Canada), tribunal independence and impartiality, socio-legal methodology, access to information and privacy commissions, speciality ombudsman