The data acquired through first hand contact with populations is known as primary
data. Fieldwork is the primary data which involves interaction with human
population in their own setting, that is the anthropologist goes and lives with the
people and does not bring these people to a laboratory to study them. The main
source of information for anthropologists working in physical/biological, social/
cultural and linguistic field comes from the field. While for the archaeological
anthropologists fieldwork involves collecting material data through exploration
and excavation. Primary data collection tools and techniques used in fieldwork are
Tools and Techniques
- Observation
- Interview
- Life history
- Case Study
- Genealogy and Pedigree
- Focus Group Discussion
- Interview Schedule Guide and Questionnaire
Fieldwork beyond Participant Observation
- Anatomical Method
- Anthropometry
- Pedigree Analysis
- Serogenetics
Fieldwork without Informants
- Exploration
- Excavation
- Classification