The Trajectory of Anthropological Fieldwork

Prep-Work:

Pick an ethnic group and area

Review the literature

Take language classes, if possible

Contact people who have also worked in the area, and begin to form scholarly networks

Write a research proposal (submit it to obtain funds)

Apply to host country government for an official research permit

         Get IRB approval

Buy supplies

Obtain all necessary immunizations and medications

Actual Fieldwork:

         Choose actual site

         Establish a base of operations

         Make courtesy visits to local government officials and notables

Engage in participant observation: field-notes and diary

Take census (??)

Make maps (??)

Conduct open-ended (non-directive) interviews

         Employ additional methods:

Conduct formal surveys and questionnaires (??)

Record folklore, songs, poetry, and other oral texts (??)

Chart kinship (??)

Make a visual record of the community: photos and videotapes (??)

Collect life histories (??)

Perform time-allocation study (??)