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Rating: 
Summary: Research Methods in Anthropology
Review: I read this work for a graduate class and found it very helpful. While not avoiding technical language, the author clearly explains concepts in everyday vocabulary. The first chapter on cultural anthropology and social science almost reads like a novel as the author traces the development of science, social science and related fields. The introduction of humor, such as his observation that, when ordered to recant by the Inquisition, Galileo "nearly published and perished" (p. 6), gives the reader pleasure while learning important and sometimes challenging concepts. Another strength of the work's explanations is the author's variety of illustrations, taken from fieldwork in Greece, oceanographic research vessels, Mexico and other locations. The book covers the gamut of anthropological research methods, including research design issues, literature review, observations, interviews, surveys, and analysis of data. One particularly helpful section for the anthropological or qualitative researcher is a chapter on how to take, code and manage field notes. The practical nuts and bolts explanation gives the reader one method for handling field notes. Bernard notes, "I wish I had used this method when I was doing my own MA and Ph.D. fieldwork" (p. 181). The chapters on statistics, while not a substitute for a course in statistics, outlines basic concepts - z-scores, t-test, chi square and more - in basically lay terms. This work would be a good text for an introductory research course, as well as a helpful reference resource for more experienced students and researchers. Although the text has a relatively recent copyright (1995), the section on literature search is already outdated. For example, over four pages are needed to describe how to look up citations in the Social Sciences Citation Index. The SSCI is now available on line, greatly simplifying the search procedure. The OCLC is mentioned, but with the caveat that "while all major libraries (and thousands of minor libraries) throughout the industrialized world have OCLC, they don't give their patrons direct access to the system" (p.135); this is another example of outdated search information due to the rapid changes in these technologies. In spite of the need to update the technical information, the book provides a wealth of information in an understandable format.
Rating:
Summary: Research Methods in Anthropology
Review: I read this work for a graduate class and found it very helpful. While not avoiding technical language, the author clearly explains concepts in everyday vocabulary. The first chapter on cultural anthropology and social science almost reads like a novel as the author traces the development of science, social science and related fields. The introduction of humor, such as his observation that, when ordered to recant by the Inquisition, Galileo "nearly published and perished" (p. 6), gives the reader pleasure while learning important and sometimes challenging concepts. Another strength of the work's explanations is the author's variety of illustrations, taken from fieldwork in Greece, oceanographic research vessels, Mexico and other locations. The book covers the gamut of anthropological research methods, including research design issues, literature review, observations, interviews, surveys, and analysis of data. One particularly helpful section for the anthropological or qualitative researcher is a chapter on how to take, code and manage field notes. The practical nuts and bolts explanation gives the reader one method for handling field notes. Bernard notes, "I wish I had used this method when I was doing my own MA and Ph.D. fieldwork" (p. 181). The chapters on statistics, while not a substitute for a course in statistics, outlines basic concepts - z-scores, t-test, chi square and more - in basically lay terms. This work would be a good text for an introductory research course, as well as a helpful reference resource for more experienced students and researchers. Although the text has a relatively recent copyright (1995), the section on literature search is already outdated. For example, over four pages are needed to describe how to look up citations in the Social Sciences Citation Index. The SSCI is now available on line, greatly simplifying the search procedure. The OCLC is mentioned, but with the caveat that "while all major libraries (and thousands of minor libraries) throughout the industrialized world have OCLC, they don't give their patrons direct access to the system" (p.135); this is another example of outdated search information due to the rapid changes in these technologies. In spite of the need to update the technical information, the book provides a wealth of information in an understandable format.
Rating: 
Summary: People watchers handbook....
Review: I recently, not by choice, read this book for a class for graduate school (Intro. to Public Administration). Not really knowing how the book would read, I was amazed to find out that this is a people watchers dream book as well as a great reference book for human anthropologists in the 21st century. I was amazed to find out how many studies have been done on peoples garbage, how men react in restrooms and in general how people act in our society. This book is truly and eye opener and a great read!!!
Rating:
Summary: Research Methods in Anthropology
Review: This is a very useful and accessible book on how to approach doing ethnographic fieldwork. Bernard writes clearly with many illustrations that make the reading interesting. Russell Bernard is Professor of Anthropology at University of Florida who has done field work in Greece, Mexico and the US on topics such as native literacy, training local ethnographers, and crisis economics. This book is written with the purpose of sharing his knowledge and experience with field research methods to make it easier for students to collect reliable data from the beginning of their fieldwork experience. The 20 chapters of this book are organized into three sections: preparing for field research, methods of collecting data, and data analysis. The six chapters on preparing for field research include how cultural anthropology fits into the history of science, the fundamental concepts and vocabulary of social research, research design and the experimental method, sampling, choosing a research problem, and searching the literature. Topics are introduced in a way that does not presuppose any prior knowledge on the part of the reader, yet goes into sufficient detail. The nine chapters on collecting data include methods for participant observation, selecting informants, taking field notes, unstructured and semistructured interviewing, structured interviewing, questionnaires, using scales to measure concepts, direct observation, and unobtrusive research. These chapters do not offer practice exercises, but Bernard does give many examples of experiments which he suggests that students attempt to copy to practice applying the skills. The five chapters on data analysis include analyzing qualitative data, creating a codebook, and three chapters on statistics. Although the he covers the subject of statistics thoroughly and in a way that would be a valuable resource on the field, Bernard warns that his discussion should not replace studying the subject under a professor. In several places in the book, Bernard discusses the obscure topic of ethics. He occasionally states his opinions, which are moderate, but more often gives several examples of experiments to trigger the reader's thoughts. His goal is to have each student critique others' research and understand what the varied implications can be so that they will be careful in their own work. This method is more effective than dictating what is right or wrong. This book is an invaluable resource to those beginning field research and even to experienced researchers who want a new angle on fieldwork. It covers a broad scope of methodology with many helpful examples and illustrations. I gained both knowledge and a different perspective from reading this book and would highly recommend it to others.
Rating:
Summary: Research Methods in Anthropology
Review: This is a very useful and accessible book on how to approach doing ethnographic fieldwork. Bernard writes clearly with many illustrations that make the reading interesting. Russell Bernard is Professor of Anthropology at University of Florida who has done field work in Greece, Mexico and the US on topics such as native literacy, training local ethnographers, and crisis economics. This book is written with the purpose of sharing his knowledge and experience with field research methods to make it easier for students to collect reliable data from the beginning of their fieldwork experience. The 20 chapters of this book are organized into three sections: preparing for field research, methods of collecting data, and data analysis. The six chapters on preparing for field research include how cultural anthropology fits into the history of science, the fundamental concepts and vocabulary of social research, research design and the experimental method, sampling, choosing a research problem, and searching the literature. Topics are introduced in a way that does not presuppose any prior knowledge on the part of the reader, yet goes into sufficient detail. The nine chapters on collecting data include methods for participant observation, selecting informants, taking field notes, unstructured and semistructured interviewing, structured interviewing, questionnaires, using scales to measure concepts, direct observation, and unobtrusive research. These chapters do not offer practice exercises, but Bernard does give many examples of experiments which he suggests that students attempt to copy to practice applying the skills. The five chapters on data analysis include analyzing qualitative data, creating a codebook, and three chapters on statistics. Although the he covers the subject of statistics thoroughly and in a way that would be a valuable resource on the field, Bernard warns that his discussion should not replace studying the subject under a professor. In several places in the book, Bernard discusses the obscure topic of ethics. He occasionally states his opinions, which are moderate, but more often gives several examples of experiments to trigger the reader's thoughts. His goal is to have each student critique others' research and understand what the varied implications can be so that they will be careful in their own work. This method is more effective than dictating what is right or wrong. This book is an invaluable resource to those beginning field research and even to experienced researchers who want a new angle on fieldwork. It covers a broad scope of methodology with many helpful examples and illustrations. I gained both knowledge and a different perspective from reading this book and would highly recommend it to others.
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