Teaching eHRAF

Methods and Analysis for Anthropology (ANTH 411.01)

Part IV: Individual and Group Assignments
Winter 2002 
by Bruce Freeman
 Department of Anthropology, University of Calgary

Dimensions of Social Research and "Truth Claims" 
Assignment #1 (Individual)

Due: February 11, 2002

1. Locate two scholarly articles in social science journals. The articles must be by different authors and appear in different journals.

2. For each article, write a brief (150 - 250 words) summary of the dimensions of research employed by the researcher. Refer to Table 2.2 (Neuman, p. 37) for category headings.

3. For each article, select one “truth claim” attributed to another researcher. Review the source document. Does the stated truth claim accurately represent the work of the original researcher? Why or why not? Discuss your findings in a brief essay (150 – 250 words).

• This exercise is a modified version of Exercise 2.3 in your Workbook (see below for Required Textbooks).

• Your submission must include a cover page and reference list.

• Chapter 16 (Neuman) provides an excellent overview of the techniques of preparing a research report.

• Write succinctly. Demonstrate your ability to apply course material rather than to simply reiterate the lectures and text.

Pollster Statistics

Assignment #2 (Individual)

Due: March1, 2002

1. Visit the latest release section of the Ipsos Reid website http://www.ipsos-reid.com/media/dsp_pre_more.cfm and select one publicly released survey of your choice.

2. Using the media release and tables, summarize and critically evaluate the following components of the survey. Your discussion should demonstrate your understanding of these concepts.

a. Reported statistic (one only!)
b. Operationalization for that statistic
c. Research population
d. Sample size
e. Sampling procedure
f. Field interval (temporal period)
g. Confidence level
h. Confidence interval
i. Regional/Demographic characteristics

If one or more of these components are absent, comment on the significance of that fact in the context of the media release.

• Your submission must be typed and include a cover page and reference list.

• Write succinctly. Your discussion should be in the range of 500 – 750 words.

Cross-Cultural Comparison with the 

eHRAF Collection of Ethnography Database
50-Minute Lab Assignment

Assignment #3 (Group)

Due: March 22, 2002

1. In the computer lab form groups of two or three students. 

2. In your groups, use the eHRAF Collection of Ethnography database to browse through the OCM Subject Codes and select two that your group considers might be associated (i.e., “Alcoholic Beverages” (OCM 273) and “Offences against the Person” (OCM 683)).

3. Using the eHRAF Collection of Ethnography database each group member is to select one culture in a different HRAF region than other members. Ensure that both selected OCM Subject Codes appear in the text of at least one document for that culture.

4. Each group member is to review the subject-indexed ethnographic text and succinctly summarize it in written form (one page, 250 words):

a. The culture

b. The context in which the OCM subject codes appear in the document(s)

c. The association (if any) among the OCM subject codes

5. Working with your group members, develop a hypothesis using the two subject codes that could be investigated further cross-culturally using the eHRAF database. Explain the hypothesized relationship among the OCM subject codes. Include this one-page (250 word) response with the individual reports.

• Your submission must be typed and include a cover page and reference list. Student names should appear only on the cover page.

•  All group members receive the same grade for this assignment.
  

Unobstrusive Observations

Assignment #4 (Individual)

Due: April 1, 2002

1. Select a social context that you would like to observe. This area must be open to the general public. In choosing a site, consider what kind of people and interaction likely take place in this site.

2. Prior to conducting your observations (Step 3 below), you must obtain written approval (e-mail) from me to proceed. E-mail me and include a brief description of the proposed site and outline why you consider it interesting. I will respond by e-mail. Include a copy of my e-mail response (with your original message included) in your submission.

3. Spend one hour in your approved social setting. Observe the site, the people, and the social interaction. Make descriptive notes and diagrams. Note that this is an unobtrusive observation exercise. You are not to conduct interviews or conduct any form of research other than to observe what would be available to anyone in this public place.

4. Write a 500 word (typed) summary of the observation exercise. Describe the setting, the people who occupy the space, and the nature of their interaction. Note what themes, issues, or problems from your observations you would explore further if you were to conduct further research in this setting. Explain why you would like to do so. Comment on your own feelings, insights and reactions to the observation exercise. Do not develop a research proposal!

5. Include your field notes as appendix with your submission.

• This exercise is a modified version of Exercise 13.1 in your Workbook (see below for Required Textbooks).

• Your submission must include a cover page.

Ethnographic Comparison

Assignment #5 (2nd Group Assignment)

Due: April 8, 2002

1. Form groups of two students. 

2. Each group member is to select a mini-ethnography from Spradley & McCurdy (1972) and write a two-page (500 word) outline summarizing the methodological and analytical approach taken by the author.

3. Exchange and review drafts. Schedule a group meeting to compare and contrast the methodology employed by your respective student researchers. Adopting a balanced, critical approach, jointly develop a two-page (500-word) appraisal of the two mini-ethnographies. Consider what worked (and did not). Explain why (or why not). Is one mini-ethnography superior in describing a culture? Ground your assessment in Spradley & McCurdy’s approach to ethnographic research, with particular emphasis placed on domain analysis.

• Your submission must be typed and include a cover page and reference list. Student names are to appear only on the cover page.

• Both members receive the same grade for this assignment.· 
  

Unobstrusive Observations: Focus and Analysis

Assignment #6 (Individual)

Due: April 15, 2002

1. Review your notes from Assignment #4 (Unobtrusive Observations). Decide on an area of this cultural scene which you would like to focus on for further study. Your interest may be (1) personal, (2) theoretical, (3) strategic, or (4) organizational (domain analysis). Develop a strategy to focus your ethnographic observations. Summarize your research approach and rationale in a typed, one-page (250 word) document.

2. Spend one additional hour in your approved social setting from Assignment #4. Whereas your observations in the previous assignment were unstructured, here you will be focusing on specific aspects of the social setting. You may choose to focus on a specific or combination of dimensions as suggested by Spradley (1980). These are (1) space, (2) actor (3) activity, (4) object, (5) act, (6) event, (7) time, (8) goal, (9) feeling.

3. Make descriptive notes and diagrams. As with Assignment #4, this is an unobtrusive observation exercise. You are not to conduct interviews or conduct any form of research other than to observe what would be available to anyone in this public place.

4. After your observation period, review your notes from an analytical perspective. What generalizations can be made from your observations in terms of what you sought to discover in terms of cultural meaning?

5. Write a typed, two-page (500 word) analytical summary. 

• Your submission is to include
  o a cover page
  o your field notes from Observation Exercise #2
  o assignment 4
  o your course journal

Required Textbooks
Neuman, W. Lawrence. 2000. Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches. 4th edition. (with workbook)

Spradley, James P. & David W. McCurdy. 1972. The cultural experience: Ethnography in complex society.

URLs for Methods and Analysis for Anthropology (ANTH 411.01)
 

Part I:  Syllabus (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_syllabus.htm)
 

Part II: Tentative Class and Reading Schedule (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_schedule.htm)
 
Part III: Test Study Questions (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_studyquestions.htm)
 

Part IV: Individual and Group Assignments (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_assignments.htm)
 

Part V: Course Journal (www.yale.edu/hraf/methods_analysis_coursejournal.htm)

Bruce Freeman is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Calgary and teaches anthropology courses.