In a sense, you will be asked to put on a pair of colored glasses. As a result, a new world of explanation and understanding will unfold before your eyes. Anthropology attempts to discover universals and patterns of human life. As a science, anthropology can be distinguished from other scientific endeavors by a number of characteristics or qualities. These features, which contribute to the anthropological perspective or paradigm, include Field Experience .
Anthropologists observe people in their own surroundings for an extended period of time.
Participant Observation . This methodology originated with anthropology and remains the mainstay of many cultural studies. Anthropologists collect data both by careful observation and by participation in the cultural activities of the peoples being studied. The anthropologist also uses key informants to augment the observations. The idea here is that the anthropologist tries to become a member of the other culture in order to interpret and understand the behavior patterns of the people.