Research Methods in Sociology and Anthropology

Sociology and Anthropology rely upon investigational and research techniques.

While some of these may be similar they also differ. Each discipline has its own philosophical justification for their method but any and all approaches to study the society’s culture require some degree of fieldwork.A. Research Methods in Sociology Scientifically studying human society’s development, origins and organizations/institutions is defined as Sociology. The methods of analysis and investigation can be broadly divided into quantitative and qualitative designs.Qualitative design places the emphasis on direct observation, communication with participants and or analysis of texts to understand the social development while quantitative design frequently relies on statistical analysis of numerous cases.

(Wikipedia, 2013). Sociologist approach to data collection is completed by one of several research methods; archival/historical method, content analysis, experimental research, longitudinal study, observation or survey research. (Wikipedia, 2013). Survey research is the process of interviewing participants or administering questionnaires and written surveys to a large number of people. CliffsNotes).

The data is then studied to determine trends, differences and similarities. Predications are then made about the participants. The advantage to survey research is inexpensive data acquisition, convenience to participants schedule and larger volume of participant information. However, it does include disadvantages as well. There can be volunteer or interviewer bias and distortion. “Distortion occurs when a subject does not respond to questions honestly”.

(CliffNotes). Volunteer bias is not having a representative ample of the general population while interviewer bias is the inadvertent influence on the subject’s response.Experimental research concentrates on how and why something happens. It is the evaluation of how an independent variable (a manipulated factor) affects a dependent variable (an observed factor). The outcome can be affected by a number of elements; obtaining random and representative samples of the study population, experimenter bias and extraneous variables.

Bias as defined by the expectations of the researcher of what should or should not happen influencing the results.Lack of control on extraneous variables may interfere with the results; only with careful control on extraneous variables can valid conclusions about the effects of specific variables on other variables be drawn. (CliffNotes). The philosophical justification for survey research is cost containment with a large volume of research.

It is also one of the most efficient and quick methods to gather large amounts of information. Data analysis can be completed in a short period of time and generalization is better, particularly when the representative sample is of a population.It also helps elimination of bias in result interpretation as subjects have the ability to remain anonymous. B. Research methods in Cultural Anthropology The study of cultural variation among humans and collecting data regarding the impact of global economic and political processes on local cultural realities is the cultural anthropology branch of anthropology. (Wikipedia, 2013).

Anthropologists use participant observation, ethnography and cross-cultural comparison as methods of data collection.Participant observation intends to develop a close and intimate familiarity with a chosen group of people and their practices through complete involvement with them in their environment, over an extended length of time. “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 online, and life histories” (Wikipedia, 2013) provides the range of tactics employed to gain that familiarity.This method is both qualitative and quantitative. The extended research time period allows for more detailed and accurate information. Discrepancies in what is said and believed compared to what actually happens can be discovered.

Easily noticed details and hidden details are more apparent and understood over a longer period of time. “Ethnography is a piece of writing about a people, at a particular place and time. ” (Wikipedia, 2013). It is a qualitative research design. Typically ethnography is a holistic study and includes information about the habitat, climate, terrain and history.

It studies the social life from the view point of the subject and makes a record of technology, infrastructure description, and means of subsistence and material culture. Topics usually included are kinship, social structure, languages spoken, childrearing practices, acculturation, personality views, rites, rituals and religion. (Wikipedia, 2013). Many hours are spent in churches, libraries and schools reading records and deciphering ancient scripts as well as investigating graveyards to preserve details and collect information.It often includes the longest possible timeline of the past events. The philosophical justification for ethnography is the information gathered is more complete and accurate.

It is believed more will be learned due to the involvement in the culture for the extended length of time. It serves to be a record of existence for cultures near extinction. C. Compare and Contrast Ethnography and survey research can be compared as review of multiple data sets to gather information and make an evaluation.

Both of these approaches require analysis of written data and interpretation by researchers. Contrasting approaches of participant observation and experimental research demonstrate one approach of manipulation of the factors to see outcome versus observation over time to see outcome. Anthropologist and sociologist both employ observation, interviewing and surveys to gather information about the culture they are studying. Their intent is to study the society and its civilization.