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In situations in which one’s role is confined to that of a researcher and it is
openly declared, is known as quasi-participant observation.
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b) Non-participant observation: When the observer does not actively
participate in the activities of the group and simply observes them as a
total outsider, it is known as non-participant observation. This can be
conducted by the researcher either by keeping away from the group,
without revealing the identity to the subjects or by being present in the
group, but without involving in their activities. Sometimes, it is impossible
for a non-participant observer to be totally passive and therefore might try
to associate with the group. In such an event, a Non-participant observer
would be moving from a total non-participation to become a Quasi-
participant observer.
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2. Controlled Observation: In this type, an attempt is made to exercise control
over the phenomena or observation. This is done according to a particular plan.
Thus, it is possible to make an objective study and keep the observation free from
biases and prejudices. As it is difficult to impose control on the phenomena in
Anthropological observation, generally controls are imposed on the observer. Such
controls increase precision, ensure reliability and increase objectivity.
Case Study method: Case Study means intensive study of a case. Case is a social unit
with a deviant bahaviour. It is a method of qualitative analysis. It is extensively used in
psychology, education, sociology, anthropology, economics and political science. It aims
at obtaining a complete and detailed account of a social phenomenon or a social unit,
which may be a person, family, community, institution or an event. Let us take the
example of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy which happened in Bhopal on 3rd December, 1984.
One can study the aftereffects of the tragedy in terms of either of the following:
• Physical issues
• Biological issues,
• Psychological issues
• Medico-legal issues.
In such a study, the homogeneity of the group is described in terms of its association
with the tragedy and how the individuals relate to the tragedy. Human mind has a way
of remembering incidents and occurrences that are relevant to its own self. Thus, case
studies of different people relate directly or indirectly to the incident when they can
provide information on the same context, but from different perspectives or levels of
memories and understanding of the event.
Genealogical Method: Genealogy is the study of one’s ancestors - parents,
grandparents’ great grandparents and so on. The genealogical method was originally
developed by W.H.R. Rivers during the Torres Straits expedition of 1898-99. Later it
became one of the standard procedures adopted in ethnographic researches in Social
Anthropology. The primary aim of genealogicalmethod is the analysis of social
organisation, i.e. the interpersonal relations and livingarrangements between members

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