methods of cultural anthropology

ethnographic fieldwork

an extended period during a cultural anthropologist studies a community or culture by closely observing and involving with the local people

ethnographer

the cultural anthropologist doing fieldwork

ethnography

the research product based on the fieldwork (in the form of the a book, article, or film)

techniques of collecting field data

participant observation, interviewing, genealogical method, gathering data from key consultants, life history, longitudinal research, survey

participant observation

study and record the details of daily life while taking part in community life

interviewing

talk to people and ask questions

holistic view (on the gains of firsthand fieldwork)

helps understand the interconnections among social phenomena

bottom-up view (on the gains of firsthand fieldwork)

of social processes/ phenomena that complements the top down view focused on by most of the media and scholars

emic perspective

seeing how things are from a perspective of the local people- a cultural insiders view of how things are

etic perspective

evaluating the local views using categories and interpretations of the anthropologist- an outsiders view

the code of ethics (American Anthropological Association)

• Do no harm

• Be open and honest regarding your work

• Obtain informed consent and necessary permissions

  • Informed consent- agreement to take part in the research, after being fully informed about its nature, procedures, and possible impacts

• Weigh competing ethical obligations due collaborators and affected parties

• Make your results accessible

• Protect and preserve your records

• Maintain respectful and ethical professional relationships