Grade 11, University & College Preparation (Course Code: HSP 3M)
Author of Course: Kevin Leung, O.S.
Author of Text: Collin M. Bain/Jill S. Colyer - The Human Way
Chapter 3.1 Scientific Research
I) Natural Scientists: those who study physics, chemistry, biology, earth/space sciences, etc.
- researches are reliable: i.e. it produces the same results whenever it's repeated
Social Scientists: those who study psychology, anthropology, sociology, politics,etc.
- researches based on informants: members of a group being observed and studied
II) For social scientists, external factors create bias in their studies. These factors include:
1) the way the scientist affect their behaviour with his actions
2) the scientist's very own presence
4) the nature of the scientist (gender, age, personality), etc.
*Social scientists must try to identify all factors that could affect findings and eliminate them.
Chapter 3.2 Anthropology Skills & Methods
I) Participant Observation: living with a subject group for an extended period and engaging in their daily activities.
- meticulous observation, note-keeping, interviews, questionnaires, etc.
Problems & Challenges: Climate, Cleaniness, Conditions
Vague Notes: simply describes an event
Concrete Notes:detailed descriptions of an event; including tone of voice, place, person involved
Reflexivity: examining one's own thought processes and reflect on how their life experiences affect their thinking patterns.
- better to have male-female observer because of defined gender roles in some cultures.
II) Ethical Dilemmas in Research (example p.50, p.52)
"In trying to understand another culture rather than judge it, anthorpologists usually avoid intervening in community affairs. Sometimes, however, this...can lead to ethical dilemmas."
- sometimes, researchers violate their own personal beliefs in order to "fit in" and become close to their informants.
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