dada

• Terence Hays: 'How do you know it's true? How do you know it's generally true which you can't know without comparison'
• Testing theories or explanations in anthropology

  1. Predict the likely outcome if a theory is correct

  2. Test if the data supports the outcome

  3. Ensure the theory relates to observable events
• Sampling in anthropological research

  Deciding which cases to study to see if a predicted outcome holds, including defining a sampling universe and selecting a random sample to ensure a fair and unbiased representation
• Types of research in anthropology

  • Classified based on spatial scope and temporal scope of the study
• Ethnography in anthropology


  Description and analysis of a single society, valuable across all subfields for generating explanations, though not generally sufficient for testing hypotheses due to limited comparisons. Methods include participant-observation and fieldwork.
• Types of comparisons used in ethnography

  • Within-culture comparisons: testing a theory within one society
  • Regional controlled comparisons: comparing ethnographic information across societies in a similar region
  • Cross-cultural research: interpretations based on worldwide comparisons
• Historical research in anthropology

  Studies a single society at more than one point in time, focusing on the consequences of historical events to determine causality. It is time-consuming.
• Evidence used in archaeological research

  • Artifacts (human-made or modified objects)
  • Ecofacts (natural objects used or affected by humans)
  • Fossils (hardened remains of biological structures)
• Digital anthropology


  Explores the relationship between humans and digital technology, involving methods like digital ethnography, social media ethnography, and virtual anthropology with fieldwork in online communities
• Key ethical practices in anthropological research

  • Informing subjects about the study's purpose
  • Ensuring no harm
  • Protecting confidentiality
  • Obtaining informed consent
  • Making results accessible
• Principles in the UGAT Code of Ethics for anthropologists

  • Be truthful
  • Be relevant to community goals
  • Explain the objectives and implications of their research
  • Provide research copies in the local language
  • Have the right to criticize unethical practices affecting the larger community