Chapter 2: Doing Fieldwork in Sociocultural
Anthropology
Ethnographic Fieldwork
● In depth understanding of the many facets of ‘culture’ requires anthropologists to
develop a sense of rapport with the groups they work with
● Anthropology is a discipline that demands that we “look, listen and record”
● Ethnography: “the written description and analysis of a particular group of
people is the product of fieldwork experience
Quantitative
● Census
Linguistic terms
● Emic: the insider perspective
● Etic:
How has fieldwork changed over the past century?
● 19th century:
○ Subjects: non-western peoples and places
○ Anthropologists: upper class, educated western white men
● 20th century:
○ Salvage anthropology: rescue indigenous peoples
○ Museums: collect artifacts
○ Focus: effects of globalization
● 21st century
○ Field site: multi cited; in own communities
○ Social media: interactions mediated by technology
Fieldwork Methods
● Participant observation
● Questionnaires
● Focus Groups
● Filming
● Recording
● Internet, Zoom, Skype and other technologies
What are some challenges of conducting fieldwork?
● Awkward or embarrassing moments in the field may help anthropologists
understand a culture and even question their own view of the world
● Culture shock
● Facing beliefs and practices that we find incredible and troublesome
Code of Ethics
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Do no harm
Link research to promote well-being
Be open and honest regarding research
Get informed consent
Maintain anonymity (or give voice)