Anthropological Research
Research Methods: Comparing and Contrasting Anthropologic and Sociologic Methods Anthropological Research Methods
Anthropology is a field of science which attempts to understand the past and present biological and cultural differences among various populations (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, &
McBride, 2008). Anthropology involves multiple research methods. These include historical analysis and participant observation (Trueman, C., n.d.).
Research Method One: Participant Observation One method of research in Anthropology is participant observation, often referred to as field research. The anthropologist either lives among or spends a substantial amount of time observing, even participating in the lives of those being studied in their natural habitat, in order …show more content…
Studying historical documents and accounts give them a glimpse into the past and helps to understand how we may have evolved biologically, culturally, and as a society. However, a historical sociologist will use historical analysis to determine how a society, or subset thereof, has formed over time.
Survey
Surveys can be used for both anthropological and sociological research. There are many areas of anthropology, and cultural anthropologists can use surveys to determine everything from how a specific cultural treats their elders, to how they deal with the stresses of everyday life.
Most all areas of sociology can utilize survey research. As sociologists are interested in current populations, or a sample of a population, they can design a survey specific to their research and can determine everything from what a society prefers to watch on television, to how a specific society feels about love and marriage.
References
Haviland, W. A., Prins, H. E. L., Walrath, D., & McBride, B. (2008). Anthropology: The human challenge (12th ed.) [VitalSource Version]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781285310787/ Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 3rd edition,
Anthropology is a field of science which attempts to understand the past and present biological and cultural differences among various populations (Haviland, Prins, Walrath, &
McBride, 2008). Anthropology involves multiple research methods. These include historical analysis and participant observation (Trueman, C., n.d.).
Research Method One: Participant Observation One method of research in Anthropology is participant observation, often referred to as field research. The anthropologist either lives among or spends a substantial amount of time observing, even participating in the lives of those being studied in their natural habitat, in order …show more content…
Studying historical documents and accounts give them a glimpse into the past and helps to understand how we may have evolved biologically, culturally, and as a society. However, a historical sociologist will use historical analysis to determine how a society, or subset thereof, has formed over time.
Survey
Surveys can be used for both anthropological and sociological research. There are many areas of anthropology, and cultural anthropologists can use surveys to determine everything from how a specific cultural treats their elders, to how they deal with the stresses of everyday life.
Most all areas of sociology can utilize survey research. As sociologists are interested in current populations, or a sample of a population, they can design a survey specific to their research and can determine everything from what a society prefers to watch on television, to how a specific society feels about love and marriage.
References
Haviland, W. A., Prins, H. E. L., Walrath, D., & McBride, B. (2008). Anthropology: The human challenge (12th ed.) [VitalSource Version]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781285310787/ Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, 3rd edition,