Anthropologists use surveys as a research tool to collect structured data from individuals or groups, often to understand cultural patterns, social behaviors, and attitudes. Surveys help anthropologists gather large amounts of information efficiently, complementing qualitative methods like participant observation and interviews. Here’s how they use them:
- Quantifying Cultural Trends – Surveys help identify patterns in beliefs, values, and behaviors across different societies or subgroups.
- Comparative Analysis – By administering the same survey across different cultural contexts, anthropologists can compare social structures, traditions, and customs.
- Supplementing Ethnographic Research – While ethnography focuses on in-depth qualitative insights, surveys add a broader perspective by capturing general trends.
- Gathering Attitudinal and Behavioral Data – Surveys can reveal how people feel about certain topics, their daily practices, or historical changes in culture.
- Measuring Social Change – Longitudinal surveys track changes in communities over time, helping anthropologists study shifts in traditions, economy, and social norms.
Surveys in anthropology are typically designed with open-ended and close-ended questions, depending on the research goal. They can be administered in person, via mail, online, or through mobile technology, depending on accessibility and cultural appropriateness.