Project Synergy

Learning Object Documentation

Assignment: Ethnographic Research project in Anthropology

  1. Project One: Becoming Familiar with the Laboratory:
  1. Review the five different methods per the lab instruction. Review the strengths and limitations of each.
  1. Review the disciplines (Biology, Geology, Psychology, Sociology) to learn about actual research study.
  1. Review the Sociology applications.
  1. When you have reviewed all five methods, try the Practice Test: differentiating the five research methods, identifying the strengths, and identifying the limitations of the five research methods.
  1. Test your skills in the Post-test.
  1. Print out your results and give/mail to your instructor. Or e-mail (cut and paste) the results to your instructor.
  1. Anthropology Fieldwork: Read “How to do a fieldwork Project” by James Spradley and David McCurdy, 1980. Determine which of the research methods from the Research Lab are included.
  1. Follow steps one through 10 in Spradley and McCurdy. Collect data, analyze data, and write a cultural description.
  1. Create taxonomic chart
  1. Submit your final written ethnographic research project.

Project Two: Psychology Research Methods

  1. Present student with a research question derived from relevant class material. Many textbooks will discuss historical and current research topics.
  2. Introduce students to site and have students review the five methods of research in the discipline of psychology.
  3. Have students design a concept map with the research question at the center using the experimental method as the connections. Information on concept maps and concept map generators can be found at the following links:
  1. Assessment strategies might include providing students with a new research problem and blank concept map on an exam or in-class timed cooperative learning exercise and having them repeat their reasoning for the new research goal.

Assignment objectives:

Upon completion of this assignment the student will be able to

identify the following concepts:

  1. Identification of normal versus abnormal behavior
  2. Connection between culture, historical perspective and societal identification of abnormal behaviors

The assignment will provide students with practice the process of identifying behaviors in a case study format.

Students will be better able to identify what is considered abnormal behavior in today’ society.

Students will be provided experience in expanded research skills by making connections between textbook, two websites and two books.

Materials Needed:

  • Computer access to website
  • Access to books listed in assignment

Time: The minimum time allowed should be 1.5 hours and additional time for on line discussion.