Methods In Cultural Anthropology

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Fieldwork

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Research in the field, which is any place where people and culture are found.

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Participant observation

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Is a research method for learning about culture that involves living in a culture for an extended period while gathering data.

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Multisited research

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Fieldwork conducted in more than one location in order to understand the behaviours and ideas of dispersed members of a culture or the relationships among the different levels such as state policy and local culture.

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Informed consent

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An aspect of fieldwork ethics requiring that the researcher inform participants of the intent, scope and possible effects of the study and seek their consent to be in the study.

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Kula

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A trading network linking many of the Trobriand Islands in which men have long-standing partnerships for the exchange of everyday good, such as food as well as highly valued necklaces and armlets.

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Rapport

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A trusting relationship between the researcher and the study population

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Culture shock

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Persistent feelings of uneasiness, loneliness and anxiety that often occur when a person has shifted from one culture to a different one.

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Deductive approach

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A research method that involves posing a research question or hypothesis, gathering the empirical data related to the question and then assessing the findings in relation to the hypothesis.

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Inductive approach

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A research approach that avoids hypothesis formation in advance of the research and instead takes its lead from the culture being studied.

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Quantitative data

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Research that emphasizes gathering data and analyzing numeric information and using tables and charts when presenting results.

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Qualitative data

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Research that emphasizes generating descriptive information

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Etic

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An analytical framework used by outside analysts in studying culture

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Emic

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What insiders do and perceive about their culture, their perceptions of reality, and their explanations for why they do what they do

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Hawthorne effect

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Research bias due to participants changing their behaviour to conform to expectations of the researcher.

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Interview

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A research technique that involves the gathering of verbal data through questions or guided conversation between at least two people.

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Questionnaire

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A formal research instrument containing a pre-set series of questions that the anthropologists asks in a face-to-face setting, by mail or by e-mail.

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Triangulation

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Research technique that involves obtaining information on a particular topic from more that one person or perspective.