Cultural anthropology , also known as social anthropology, is the study of the learned behavior of groups of people in specific environments. Cultural anthropologists base their work in ethnography, a research method that uses field work and participant-observation to study individual cultures and customs.
Which anthropologist is a participant observer?
Participant-observation was popularized within anthropology through its use by several well-known anthropologists in the 20th century, including Bronislaw Malinowski and Margaret Mead. Today, it is well recognized within the social sciences as a viable and popular research method.
Which field of anthropology uses participant observation as a research strategy?
Today, participant observation, or ethnography, is a primary research method practiced by qualitative sociologists around the world.
What is participant observation in ethnography?
The participant observation method, also known as ethnographic research, is when a sociologist actually becomes a part of the group they are studying in order to collect data and understand a social phenomenon or problem .
Which anthropologist is famous for ethnographic work?
Modern anthropologists usually identify the establishment of ethnography as a professional field with the pioneering work of both the Polish-born British anthropologist Bronisław Malinowski in the Trobriand Islands of Melanesia (c.
What are the weaknesses of participant observation?
- It can be very time consuming.
- It generates a vast amount of data.
- By participating in activities, the researcher can inadvertently influence the other participants’ behavior.
- Active involvement in the group can cause the researcher to lose objectivity and may lead to bias.
What are the pros and cons of participant observation?
- Validity – produces rich qualitative data which shows picture of how people really live. ...
- Insight – Allows researcher to gain empathy through personal experience . ...
- Flexibility – more flexible and allows for an open mind.
What are the four types of participant observation?
As a participant observer, the researcher goes into the field of study to observe people, events, and social contexts. A researcher’s involvement can be divided into five levels: (1) nonparticipation, (2) passive participation, (3) moderate participation, (4) active participation, and (5) complete participation .
What is participant observation examples?
Examples of covert participant observation include studies in which researchers observe and even interact with people in public places , such as restaurants, transportation hubs, stores, and online chat rooms, but do not introduce themselves as researchers or inform people that they are being studied (Sharf 1997; ...
What is the main purpose of participant observation?
Its aim is to gain a close and intimate familiarity with a given group of individuals (such as a religious, occupational, or sub cultural group, or a particular community) and their practices through an intensive involvement with people in their natural environment, usually over an extended period of time.
What are the examples of ethnography?
- Observing a group of children playing. ...
- Observing employees in a corporate office. ...
- Observing medical personnel in a high-volume hospital. ...
- Observing an indigenous village. ...
- Observing a high school classroom. ...
- Observing motorcycle riders.
What are the two types of participant observation?
There are two types of participant observation; Overt and Covert .
How is participant observation done?
Participant observation is a qualitative research method in which the researcher studies a group not only by observing the group , but also by participating in the activities of the group.
What are the three meanings of ethnography?
Ethnography (from Greek ἔθνος ethnos “ folk, people, nation ” and γράφω grapho “I write”) is a branch of anthropology and the systematic study of individual cultures.
Why do we need ethnography?
The main advantage of ethnography is that it gives the researcher direct access to the culture and practices of a group . It is a useful approach for learning first-hand about the behavior and interactions of people within a particular context.
What is the father of anthropology?
PARIS – Claude Levi-Strauss , widely considered the father of modern anthropology for work that included theories about commonalities between tribal and industrial societies, has died. He was 100.
