Epistemology, Fieldwork, and Anthropology (eBook)

Epistemology, Fieldwork, and Anthropology explores the space between epistemology and methodology, offering a systematic examination of the empirical foundations of interpretations in anthropology.

Author Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan: Jean-Pierre Olivier de Sardan is Professor of Anthropology (Directeur d études) at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, France and Emeritus Director of Research at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France. Translated by Antoinette Tidjani Alou: Antoinette Tidjani Alou is Professor of French and Comparative Literature at the Université Abdou Moumouni de Niamey, Niger.

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Epistemology, Fieldwork, and Anthropology provides a systematic examination of the empirical foundations of interpretations and grounded theories in anthropology. Olivier de Sardan explores the nature of the links between observed reality and the data produced during fieldwork, and between the data gathered and final interpretative statements. Olivier de Sardan's research asks how anthropologists develop a 'policy of fieldwork', what the advantages and limits of observation are, and if the dangers of over-interpretation and scientific ideologies be minimized. Exploring the space between epistemology and methodology, the book critically juxtaposes Anglo and Francophone writings about fieldwork, plausible interpretations, emicity, reflexivity, comparison, and scientific rigor.