Survey research involves sampling populations and collecting impersonal data using standardized questions to understand variation. It is useful for studying large populations but focuses on specific variables. Ethnography involves long-term fieldwork within whole communities to understand totality of lives through direct relationships and without relying on literacy. While survey research uses statistics due to diverse samples, ethnography traditionally focuses on smaller societies without extensive statistical analysis. Both methods blend to study complex modern societies.

1. SURVEY
RESEARCH
Group 1
Anthropology 1
PT 104

2. WHAT IS SURVEYWHAT IS SURVEY
RESEARCH?RESEARCH?

3. SURVEY RESEARCH
 …to the extent that anthropologists work
increasingly in complex, societies, they devise
innovative strategies for blending ethnography
and elements of survey research.
 … working mainly in large populous nations ,
sociologists, social psychologists, political
scientists, and economists have developed and
refined survey research design which involves
sampling, impersonal data collection and
statistical analysis.

4. SURVEY RESEARCH con.SURVEY RESEARCH con.
 …usually draws a sample from a much
larger population.
 … researcher call the people they study
respondents (ethnographers worked w/
informants.)
A. Random Sample- all members of the population
have an equal statistical chance of being chosen for inclusion.
- during sampling, researchers
gather information about age, gender, religion, occupation, income
and political party preference

6. SURVEY RESEARCH con.SURVEY RESEARCH con.
Variables- attributes that vary among
members of a sample or population.
Predictor Variables- work
separately and together in influencing a
dependent variable.

7. VariablesVariables
Ex. Predicting “Risk of Heart Attack”- it is
the dependent variable.dependent variable.
… Predictors include; sex, age, family, history,
weight, blood pressure, serum cholesterol,
exercise and cigarette smoking.
Survey Research- indispensable in the study of
large, populous nations in which we must pay
particular attention to variation.

8. VariablesVariables

9. Ethnography:
Anthropology’ Distinctive
Strategy

11. Ethnography: Anthropology’Ethnography: Anthropology’
Distinctive StrategyDistinctive Strategy
 Ethnography emerged in societies with
less social differentiation and more
uniform cultural characteristics than are
seen in larger, more modern societies.
 it is not unusual for anthropologists to maintain a
lifelong interest in the culture where they first did field
work. Often they do long-term or longitudinal
research there, spanning many years.
Ethnographers developed personal connections,
including enduring friendships;

12. Differences between SurveyDifferences between Survey
Research and EthnographyResearch and Ethnography

13. Differences between SurveyDifferences between Survey
Research and EthnographyResearch and Ethnography
Survey Research
o The object of study is
usually a sample chosen
(randomly or otherwise)
by the researcher
Ethnography
o Ethnographers normally
study whole, functioning
communities.

14. Differences between SurveyDifferences between Survey
Research and EthnographyResearch and Ethnography
Survey Research
o Survey researchers have no
personal contact with their
respondents. They may hire
assistants to interview or ask
respondents to fill and printed
questions.
Ethnography
o Ethnographers do firsthand
field work, establishing a
direct relationship with the
people they study.
Established rapport.

15. Differences between SurveyDifferences between Survey
Research and EthnographyResearch and Ethnography
Survey Research
o Often survey researchers
focuses on a small
number of variables.
Ethnography
o Ethnographers get to
know their informants and
usually take an interest in
the totality of their lives.

16. Differences between SurveyDifferences between Survey
Research and EthnographyResearch and Ethnography
Survey Research
o Survey Researchers
normally work in modern
nations, where most people
are literate
Ethnography
o Ethnographers are more
likely to study people who
do not read and write.

17. Differences between SurveyDifferences between Survey
Research and EthnographyResearch and Ethnography
Survey Research
o Because survey
research deals with large
and diverse groups and
with samples and
probability, its results
must be analyzed
statistically.
Ethnography
o Because the societies
that anthropologist
traditionally study are
smaller and less diverse,
many ethnographers
have not acquired
detailed knowledge of
statistics.