Applied research in anthropology employs a range of methods to study and address real-world problems.
The choice of methods depends on the research questions, the nature of the problem, and the context in which the research is conducted. Here are some commonly used methods in applied research:
- Ethnography: Ethnography involves immersive, long-term fieldwork to understand a particular social group or community. Anthropologists engage in participant observation, spending extended periods of time with the community to observe and document their daily activities, interactions, beliefs, and practices. Ethnographic methods also include conducting interviews, collecting oral histories, and analyzing cultural artifacts. Ethnography provides rich, contextual insights into the social and cultural dynamics of a community and is valuable for understanding local perspectives and experiences.
- Surveys and Questionnaires: Surveys and questionnaires involve collecting data from a large sample of individuals or households. Anthropologists design structured questionnaires to gather quantitative information about attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics. Surveys can be useful for assessing the prevalence of certain practices or opinions, understanding patterns and trends, and gathering data on a larger scale. Statistical analysis is often applied to survey data to identify correlations, associations, or trends.
- Interviews: Interviews are a commonly used method in applied research. Anthropologists conduct structured, semi-structured, or unstructured interviews with individuals or groups to collect qualitative data. Interviews provide an opportunity to explore participants’ perspectives, experiences, and knowledge on specific topics. They allow for in-depth exploration, clarification, and probing of responses. Interview data is typically analyzed thematically to identify patterns, themes, and variations.
- Focus Groups: Focus groups involve bringing together a small group of individuals to discuss a specific topic or issue. Anthropologists facilitate group discussions, encouraging participants to share their opinions, experiences, and ideas. Focus groups allow for interactive dialogue and exploration of shared beliefs, social norms, and group dynamics. They provide insights into collective perspectives, group consensus, and differing viewpoints within a community.
- Case Studies: Case studies involve in-depth analysis of a specific case or situation. Anthropologists carefully select cases that are representative or unique in some way and employ various methods such as interviews, observations, document analysis, and archival research. Case studies provide detailed, context-specific insights into complex phenomena, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of specific contexts or individuals.
- Participatory Action Research (PAR): Participatory Action Research involves collaborative research conducted in partnership with the community or stakeholders. Anthropologists work closely with community members, involving them in all stages of the research process, from problem identification to data collection, analysis, and action planning. PAR emphasizes the importance of empowering communities and promoting social change through research. It seeks to generate knowledge that is relevant, useful, and applicable to the community’s needs and aspirations.
- Quantitative Data Analysis: Anthropologists may employ various quantitative data analysis techniques, such as statistical analysis, to examine patterns, relationships, and trends in numerical data. This can involve using software for statistical analysis, conducting regression analysis, hypothesis testing, or other quantitative methods to explore relationships and draw conclusions.
It’s important to note that many applied research projects in anthropology combine multiple methods, employing a mixed-methods approach. This allows researchers to triangulate data, validate findings, and gain a comprehensive understanding of complex social phenomena. The choice of methods should be guided by the research objectives, the nature of the problem, and the cultural and ethical considerations of the research context.