ANTH 210 Lecture 5 Outline of Last Lecture 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Challenge of Cultural Relativism Ethnology of culture Universality Generality Cultural Change Mechanisms Challenge to Cultural Relativism Globalization Ethnographic Research Outline of Current Lecture Ethnographic Research Fieldwork 1 Process of Participant Observation 2 Ethnography Techniques 3 Observations 4 Interviewing 5 Genealogical Methods 6 Interpretive Methods 7 Local Beliefs and Perceptions in the Ethnographers Perspective 8 Specialized Ethnography 9 Team Research Conclusion Current Lecture Process of Participant Observation E E Evans Pritchard in Sudan and wrote a book Argonauts of the West Pacific Bronisland Malinowski in the Trobriand Islands Pacific Ethnography Techniques 1 Firsthand observation of behavior 2 Conversation with degrees of formality 3 Genealogical method 4 Detailed work with key consultant 5 In depth interviewing 6 Discovery of local beliefs and perceptions 7 Problem oriented research 8 Longitudinal research 9 Team research Observations Examples of observations are represented in field notes such a notebooks with notes Individuals also use a personal diary Anthropologists usually use two because the field notes represent the daily log of what they encountered that day but personal diaries were kept to keep the logs on an individual s personal thoughts and ideals towards the day Interviewing Interview schedule Ethnographer talks face to face with people asks questions and writes down answers Questionnaire Are a more indirect and impersonal approach Interview schedule Provided a direct structure but doesn t confine the interviewer Recording Interviews This is a must when composing a formal interview and after the interview the notes can be typed and stored Genealogical Method Genealogical Method Procedures that discover and record connections of kinship descent and marriage Genealogy is a prominent building block in social organization of nonnindustirl societies and is kin based Genealogical data helps understand current social relations and to connect and reconstruct history Interpretive Methods Key cultural consultants also known as key informants are the people who can provide the most complete information or useful information about particular aspects of life Life history reveals how specific people perceive react to and contribute to changes that affect their lives Local Beliefs and Perceptions in the Ethnographers Perspective Ethnic native oriented approach investigates how people think and is provided by cultural consultants informants Etic science oriented approach shifts focus from local observations categories explanations and interpretations to those of the anthropologist Specialized Ethnography Problem oriented ethnography When most ethnographers investigate specific problems and collect data relevant to that problem Longitudinal research Long term study of a community religion society culture or other unit Survey Research Survey research design involves sampling impersonal data collections and statistical analysis Survey research is usually common in large scale societies Conclusion The best studies show that the hallmark of ethnography remains the following Enter the community to know the people Participate in local activities networks and associates Observe and experience social conditions and problems Watch the effects of national and international policies and programs on local life