Sociology and Cultural Anthropology Research Methods Used

Sociology and Cultural Anthropology

Research Methods used in Sociology

Closed or Structured Questionnaires and Participant Observation are among the many research methods used in sociological studies.

Structured questionnaire is a quantitative research method that was postulated by Emile Durkheim. It is positivist in nature and is comprised of low researcher involvement and high respondents' participation. A questionnaire is, in fact, a series of questions posed to individuals for obtaining statistically useful information about a certain subject matter. If a questionnaire is appropriately created and sensibly controlled, it becomes an imperative tool to make accurate and acceptable statements about particular groups or people or whole populace. Social research often uses questionnaires as it is a helpful method to collect ample information from a large number of individuals. In order for a survey to be successful, sufficient questionnaire creation is important. Any survey that has badly chosen questions, incorrect questions' arrangement, erroneous scaling, or bad format can prove to be worthless and insignificant as it may not exactly reveal participants' thoughts and opinions (Trueman).

Census is another sociological research method by which all people and households in a country are counted. It helps in attaining the complete information about the population of a country/area. Census is imperative as efforts are made to include everyone. It is the only research method by which a detailed picture of the whole population is obtained. It is unique in every sense as "it covers everyone at the same time and asks the same core questions everywhere" (Trueman). Due to census, it becomes easier to contrast and evaluate different parts of the country. The information obtained after conducting a census helps the central and local government and other major authorities and organizations to target their assets and funds more efficiently and plan accordingly for future development and progression (Trueman).

Philosophical Justification of Structured Questionnaire

The philosophical justification for a structured questionnaire is that it provides real knowledge that is the resultant of human observation of objective reality. The sanity of respondents is "used to accumulate data that are objective, discernible and measurable" (Crossan). The supporters of positivist research methods claim that any information derived through other means must be abandoned as transcendental (Crossan).

Research Methods used in Cultural Anthropology

Historical Analysis and Cross-Cultural Comparison are among the many research methods used by the cultural anthropologists.

Every one knows that the account past events or combination of events is known as history. Thus, a historical analysis is a research method in which cultural anthropologists use past records and accounts to analyze and interpret what happened in the ancient times. Historical analysis is significantly useful in qualitative studies as it helps in the establishment of background before observing or interviewing participants. The researchers categorize historical data into primary (oral testimonies, relics etc.) or secondary (accounts contained in historical content, encyclopedias etc.). Thus, this research method is used to obtain facts and data about unexamined areas and also to reconsider the issues that are not clearly and desirably defined. In short, historical analysis adds to the dependability and integrity of a study (Marshall & Rossman, 2011).

On the other hand, Cross-Cultural Research is a method that cultural anthropologists use to examine and compare the different cultures in terms of human behavior. Its main objective is to concentrate on the increasing disagreements and global distress that take place because of cultural differences. Cross-Cultural Research compiles statistical data for the determination of particular standards or customs that prevail within a culture. As a consequence, the obtained information is used to determine the impacts and influences of those particular customs on the workings of a social order. After understanding the development of customs and their effects on the society, the researchers address steps for bridging communication differences.

Philosophical Justification of Historical Analysis

Historical analysis is a qualitative research method that denies the positivist philosophy. Historical analysis is thus a post-positivist research method that "is concerned with establishing and searching for a 'warranted assertibility', that is, evidence that is valid and sound proof for the existence of phenomena" (Crossan). It does not make claims to supreme truth by establishing generalization and laws. Historical analysis does not claim anything as scientific theories do. Instead, it makes a study credible by proving it on the basis of particular experiences and events (Crossan).