Chapter 3: Fieldwork and Ethnography Flashcards
Ethnographic Research
unique set of practices anthropologists developed to put people first in understanding their lives through living and interacting with them
Historically, what were “armchair anthropologists?”
anthropologists who studied the interactions of others through writings and second-hand encounters
Who developed the “four field approach?”
Franz Boaz
Salvage Ethnography
rapid gathering of all available cultural, material, linguistic, and biological data left by culture
Participant Observation
key research strategy involving participation in and observation of daily life of people being studied
Reflexivity
critical self-examination of the role of an anthropologist and the awareness that one’s identity affects one’s fieldwork and analyses
How was the idea of reflexivity developed?
Annette Weiner retraced Malinowski’s research and found a lack of focus on women’s role in the economy – as Malinowski was a man
What are the three “births” described in Barbara Myerhoff’s idea of being “thrice-born?”
First birth in our own culture
Second birth in another culture via fieldwork
Third birth again in our own culture after reintroduction
Anthropological Toolkit
tools needed to conduct fieldwork, including information, perspectives, strategies, and equipment
What is the first thing one needs to do when conducting fieldwork?
Research the community and issues of focus
Quantitative Data
data that can be compared/measured directly; numerical data
Qualitative Data
data that cannot be compared/measured directly; observation
Key Informants
people to advise or guide anthropologists by providing feedback, issues to explore, people to contact, etc.
Life History
interview tracing the life of key informant to understand change over time and relationships
Surveys
interview method to collect qualitative data
Kinship Analysis
fieldwork strategy of examining interlocking relationships of power built on family ties
Social Network Analysis
Method of examining relationships in a community by identifying who people turn to in time of need
Field Notes
anthropologist’s written observations and reflections on a culture
Mapping
analysis of physical and geographical space where fieldwork is conducted
Built Environment
intentionally designed features of human settlement
Zeros
elements of a story not told or seen
Mutual Transformation
potential for anthropologist and members of studied community to be transformed by fieldwork
Emic
approach to data collection that investigates how people think and understand the world
Etic
description of local culture from anthropologist’s perspective in ways that can be compared across cultures
