The ethnographic conceptual framework examines group classifications and relationships and their effects on individuals. These classifications can represent a variety of groups, from people of different ethnic backgrounds to nurses on different units. There are advantages and disadvantages to grouping people and classifying their actions; there is the risk of stereotyping people but there is also the possibility of understanding an individual better. In this article I will explore the strengths and weaknesses of using the ethnographic conceptual framework by investigating applications of the framework. There are many positive aspects to using an ethnographic conceptual lens. The objective examines how social interactions influence various events. As social beings, culture and social groups certainly play a role in our lives and therefore a greater understanding of ethnography is needed. In healthcare, a good understanding of a person's culture can provide nurses with valuable information about their patients' worldview. Becker (2007) examined the classification of eating disorders through an ethnographic approach and discovered the profound effects of neglecting a person's cultural background. In her research, she examines the universally accepted definitions of eating disorders, anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, contained in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). It has identified areas where the DSM is not culturally appropriate, for example past research showing how the lack of “fatphobia” in Hong Kong patients has led to them being misclassified as not having an eating disorder (Lee, Kwok, Liau & Leung, 2002 as cited in Becker, 2007). Becker suggests that the lack of culturally appropriate text...... half of the document...... with the Full Text database. Becker, A. (2007, November 2). Cultural and eating disorder classification. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 40, S111-6. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from CINAHL with full text database. Centeno, J., Anderson, R., Restrepo, M., Jacobson, P., Guendouzi, J., Müller, N., et al. (2007, July 17). Ethnographic and sociolinguistic aspects of communication: research-practice relationships. ASHA Leaders, 12(9), 12-15. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from CINAHL with full-text database.Clabo, L. (March 2008). An ethnography of pain assessment and the role of social context in two postoperative units. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 61(5), 531-539. Retrieved June 19, 2008, from CINAHL with full text database. Gutiérrez, K. D., Rogoff, B. (2002). Cultural ways of learning: individual traits or repertoires of practice. Educational researcher. 32(5), 19-25.