Anthropology

A holistic study of what it means to be human

 Subfields of Anthropology

• Four basic fields of Anthropology:

• Archaeology
• Linguistics
• Physical
• Cultural
 Characteristics of Research
• Holism
• Ground-up research
• Descriptive vs.
experimental vs.
predictive
• Seeks to be in the field
• An insider’s perspective
• Attention to contexts
• Comparative
• Ethical representation: of
those we study and of the
research process, including:
• Disclosure of researcher’s
position
• Showing research as a process
• Showing complexity of
research process
 Examples of Stuff and Style:
• Language • Tragedies
• Religion • Homeland
• Clothing • Heritage
• Food • Phenotype/race
• Dance
• Historical events Just about
anything
 Participant Observation

Advantages Disadvantages
• Develops familiarity with • Time Consuming
everyday life or normative
contexts. • Data Heavy
• Provides insights into • Requires researcher to
behaviors and practices. be aware of personal
• Helps with understanding bias and previous
what people do versus experiences that might
what they say they do.
cloud the data.
 Types of Interviews

Structured Unstructured
Asked same questions Asked open – ended questions
Same order Respond in own words
Same Conditions Can be in different order
Interviewer has more control Informant has more control