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Violence in the emergency department (ED) is a significant problem and it is increasing. Nevertheless the problem remains inadequately investigated as most studies that have investigated this issue are descriptive in nature. Although these studies have provided important preliminary information, they fail to reveal the complexities of the problem, in particular the cultural aspects of violence which are crucial for the ED. This paper is part I of a 2-part series which will provide an overview of the background, aims and methods of an ethnographic study about violence in the ED. The study aimed to explore the cultural aspects of violence in the ED. Contemporary ethnography was adopted to frame the study's methodology. The study was carried out at a major metropolitan ED over 3 months using observations, questionnaires and interviews. Initially, the questionnaires were analysed using SPSS before incorporating into the qualitative data. Then, a data analysis framework was adopted to assist in the analysis of data at item (domain), pattern (taxonomic and componential) and structural levels. A brief description of the cultural scene will also be highlighted before leaving the findings of the study along with its discussions to the part II of the 2-part series.

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