Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches / Edition 5

by H. Russell Bernard

Overview

Research Methods in Anthropology is the standard textbook for methods classes in anthropology programs. Over the past 13 years, it has launched tens of thousands of students into the field with its combination of rigorous methodological advice, wry humor, common sense advice, and numerous examples from actual field projects. Now the third edition of this classic textbook is ready, written in Bernard's unmistakable conversational style. RMA 3 contains all the useful methodological advice of previous editions and more: additional material on text analysis, an expanded section on sampling in field settings, the use of computers for fieldwork and analysis, the pros and cons of rapid assessment techniques in anthropology, and dozens of new examples. "Methods belong to all of us" is the watchword of this book. Whether you are coming from a scientific, interpretive, or applied anthropological tradition, your students should learn field methods from the best guide around.

Author Biography: H. RUSSELL BERNARD is professor of anthropology at the University of Florida. A expert on research methods, on writing and publishing in previously non-written languages, and on social network analysis, he is author of half a dozen books and editor of the journal Field Methods.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2900759112420
Publisher:	AltaMira Press
Publication date:	05/16/2011
Edition description:	Fifth Edition
Pages:	680
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

H. Russell Bernard is professor of anthropology emeritus at the University of Florida. He is the editor of the Handbook of Methods in Cultural Anthropology, author of Social Research Methods, and founder and editor of the journal Field Methods.

Table of Contents

	Preface	vii
1.	Anthropology and the Social Sciences	1
2.	The Foundations of Social Research	27
3.	Preparing for Research	65
4.	The Literature Search	91
5.	Research Design: Experiments and Experimental Thinking	105
6.	Sampling	141
7.	Sampling Theory	163
8.	Nonprobability Sampling and Choosing Informants	180
9.	Interviewing: Unstructured and Semistructured	203
10.	Structured Interviewing: Questionnaires	240
11.	Structured Interviewing: Cultural Domain Analysis	280
12.	Scales and Scaling	298
13.	Participant Observation	322
14.	Field Notes: How to Take Them, Code Them, Manage Them	365
15.	Direct and Indirect Observation	390
16.	Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis	427
17.	Qualitative Data Analysis I: Text Analysis	440
18.	Qualitative Data Analysis II: Models and Matrices	489
19.	Univariate Analysis	516
20.	Bivariate Analysis: Testing Relations	561
21.	Multivariate Analysis	615
	References	661
Appendix A	Table of Random Numbers	701
Appendix B	Table of Areas under a Normal Curve	704
Appendix C	Student's t Distribution	707
Appendix D	Chi-Square Distribution Table	708
Appendix E	Tables of Percentage Points of the Inverted Beta (F) Distribution	710
Appendix F	Resources for Field Workers	714
	Subject Index	719
	Author Index	741
	About the Author	753

Editorial Reviews

Bernard's goal is to help anthropology students learn research methods before they go out on their first expedition to collect data. His guide has been used as a textbook for courses on research methods since it appeared in 1988. His first message is that students do no have to, and should not, choose between qualitative and quantitative roads to their careers. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Praise for previous editions—

Ideal for college level courses in anthropology, Research Methods in Anthropology is also to be strongly recommended as accessibly informative for non-specialist general readers with an interest in anthropological research.

Midwest Book Review

Praise for previous editions—
[This text] is the standard for anthropology students and researchers alike and offers valuable information and advice to all social scientists interested in research methods and analysis. . . . An absolute must for all libraries, classrooms, and individuals interested in this subject matter.

CHOICE

This 753-page volume, now in its third edition, is the standard for anthropology students and researchers alike and offers valuable information and advice to all social scientists interested in research methods and analysis.... An absolute must for all libraries, classrooms, and individuals interested in this subject matter.
— M.R. Dittemore, (Smithsonian Institution Libraries)

Choice

This volume is fun to read and will turn SIL OWLs (ordinary working linguists) on to doing ethnography.... If new fieldworkers will just read the 16 pages (187-202) on how to choose informants they will find that alone worth the book's price and save themselves months of mistrials.... We predict this book will become the most widely used text in university anthropology classes on research techniques.... Research Methods is an invaluable resource to beginning field researchers, and even to experienced researchers who want a new angle on fieldwork. It covers a broad range of methodologies with many helpful examples and illustrations. Readers will gain both knowledge and a deeper appreciation of the problems of field research by reading this book. We recommend that every SIL library around the world have a copy of the third edition. It is such a significant improvement that SIL researchers will do themselves a disservice if they continue to rely on the earlier second edition.
— Virginia B. Crowell and Thomas N. Headland, (University of North Dakota and SIL)

Notes On Anthropology

Ideal for college level courses in anthropology, Research Methods in Anthropology is also to be strongly recommended as accessibly informative for non-specialist general readers with an interest in anthropological research.

The Midwest Book Review