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 be
behaviors and practices. aware of personal bias
and previous experiences
• Helps with understanding that might cloud the data.
what people do versus
what they say they do.
 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