"Field research, field studies, or fieldwork is the collection of raw data outside a laboratory, library, or workplace setting."
The method used by cultural anthropologists to collect data, which involves living with and observing a group of people in their natural setting.
Research design: Understanding how to design a research plan that will answer your research questions, including selecting appropriate methods and techniques and planning logistics.
Data collection: Learning the various methods and techniques for collecting information about cultural systems, including participant observation, interviewing, surveys, and visual documentation methods.
Ethnographic writing: Developing skills for writing up field notes, interpreting and analyzing data, and presenting findings in a coherent and engaging manner.
Culture shock: Preparing oneself to face situations where you may feel frustrated, uncomfortable, or out of your depth during fieldwork.
Participant observation: The basic technique of cultural anthropology that involves observing and documenting social life and cultural practices as they unfold.
Structured interviews: A technique that involves conducting a pre-planned set of questions with an informant in order to get specific information.
Unstructured interviews: A technique that involves a free-flowing conversation between interviewer and informant to delve into more complex and nuanced topics.
Focus groups: A technique that involves bringing together a group of people to discuss some topic, usually using a semi-structured method for obtaining information.
Ethical considerations: Understanding the ethical implications of conducting research with people, including informed consent, confidentiality, conflict of interest, and cultural sensitivity.
Multi-sited fieldwork: Learning how to conduct fieldwork across multiple locations and cultural contexts in order to understand complex social issues.
Reflexivity: Owning the influence that the researcher has on the research process, and recognizing their own biases and assumptions.
Power dynamics: Understanding the ways in which power and privilege can affect the research process, including the impact of gender, race, and class on the research interaction.
Anthropological theory: Learning the various theoretical frameworks that guide cultural anthropology research, including structural-functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and critical theory.
Language learning: Understanding the importance of language in cultural research, developing skills for learning new languages, and conducting language-oriented research.
Quantitative research methods: Understanding how and when to use statistical methods such as surveys, sampling, and statistical analysis to understand large-scale cultural phenomena.
Participant Observation: The primary tool of ethnographic fieldwork, where the anthropologist immerses themselves in the culture being studied, participating in daily activities, and observing cultural practices.
Interviews: Formal or informal discussions with members of the culture being studied, typically used to gather information about specific topics or to gather personal insights.
Surveys: A systematic attempt to gather broad data from a representative sample of the population being studied.
Genealogy: An investigation into family history and lineage, used to understand kinship structures and social relationships.
Mapping: The recording and analysis of spatial organization and movement within a culture, including the creation of maps and diagrams.
Focus Groups: Group discussions that are facilitated to gather views, attitudes, and opinions from members of a culture being studied.
Life Histories: Interviews with individuals about the events and experiences throughout their life. This is done to better understand the culture as a whole and the individual's place within it.
Case Studies: In-depth analysis of specific cultural practices, individuals, or events focusing on particular aspects to gain a detailed understanding.
Collaborative Ethnography: A type of fieldwork where the anthropologist works closely with members of the studied community, sharing and negotiating power during the research process.
Rapid Appraisal: A quick and preliminary overview of cultural practices and issues before undertaking more in-depth fieldwork.
Participatory Action Research: A research method that involves active participation of the community being studied, where the community members are engaged in identifying research questions, data collection, and analysis.
Oral Histories: Gathering and recording of personal stories, often from older members of the community, to document their memories and experiences.
Sensory Ethnography: Focusing on the human senses to understand cultural practices and meanings within a setting, including sights, smells, sounds, and textures.
Visual Anthropology: Uses visual media such as photography, film, and video to document and analyze cultural practices.
Virtual Ethnography: Using online methods to study cultures within virtual settings such as social media platforms or online communities.
"The approaches and methods used in field research vary across disciplines."
"Biologists who conduct field research may simply observe animals interacting with their environments."
"Social scientists conducting field research may interview or observe people in their natural environments to learn their languages, folklore, and social structures."
"The range of well-defined, although variable, methods: informal interviews, direct observation, participation in the life of the group, collective discussions, analyses of personal documents produced within the group, self-analysis, results from activities undertaken off- or on-line, and life-histories."
"Although the method generally is characterized as qualitative research, it may (and often does) include quantitative dimensions."
"The collection of raw data outside a laboratory, library, or workplace setting."
"The collection of raw data outside a laboratory, library, or workplace setting."
"Simply observe animals interacting with their environments."
"Observe people in their natural environments to learn their languages, folklore, and social structures."
"Informal interviews, direct observation, participation in the life of the group, collective discussions, analyses of personal documents produced within the group, self-analysis, results from activities undertaken off- or on-line, and life-histories."
"The method generally is characterized as qualitative research."
"It may (and often does) include quantitative dimensions."
"Biologists who conduct field research."
"Social scientists conducting field research."
"Animals interacting with their environments."
"People in their natural environments to learn their languages, folklore, and social structures."
"Produced within the group."
"Field research."
"The collection of raw data outside a laboratory, library, or workplace setting."