Participant-Observation in Anthropology: Key Research Method

The method of embodied and emplaced research that requires anthropologists to actively engage in and survey the practices of a social group is called:

A) Library ethnography.

B) Armchair ethnography.

C) Cultural relativism.

D) Participant-observation.

Expert Verified Answer:

The correct answer is Participant-observation.

Description: Participant-observation is a research method used in anthropology where researchers immerse themselves in the daily life of the social group they are studying. This method involves both observing and participating in the group’s activities to gain a deep, contextual understanding of their practices and interactions. Unlike library ethnography or armchair ethnography, which rely on secondary sources and theoretical analysis, participant-observation requires active engagement and first-hand experience. Cultural relativism, while important in interpreting findings, is not a research method but rather an approach to understanding cultural practices within their own context.