The experience of Franz Boas proves that this task can be challenging, and the interests of different people should be considered. The success of anthropological projects is conditional not only upon ethical considerations of the interaction with various population groups but also upon the ability of scholars to find funding. Thus, compliance with the Code of Ethics allows the researchers to conduct studies in an ethical way. As for professional dilemmas, they relate to obtaining informed consent of participants, maintaining their anonymity, and making the results accessible to them (Nelson, 2020). The personal dilemma is the necessity to distract from one’s worldview to examine the beliefs and behavior of other people through the lens of their traditions and values (Nelson, 2020). These considerations are included in the Code of Ethics developed by the American Anthropological Association, founded by Franz Boas (Nelson, 2020). The relationships with informants, as well as other aspects of anthropological explorations, imply the existence of specific personal and professional dilemmas resulting from the interaction. This principle applies to the studies similar to the ones conducted by Franz Boas who was engaged in the first attempts to establish communication between the tribes mentioned above and the researchers. These people are referred to as key informants, and their participation allows the researcher not only to learn about specific traditions of the group but also to explore the meaning behind them (Nelson, 2020). The main factor that has an impact on their relationships is the proper choice of people who possess sufficient information on the subject. The successful communication between researchers and informants from various population groups is one of the principal conditions of an informative study. Therefore, Franz Boas can be considered as one of the lead practitioners in anthropology. His main achievements in this area are the studies of the Kwakwaka’wakw people and the Inuit of Baffin Island in Canada (Glass, 2018). However, Boas was not a mere theorist since he was mostly engaged in fieldwork. He is known for particular views on the prevailing impact of culture and social factors on human behavior in contrast to biology (Nelson, 2020). One of the most known anthropologists, whose contributions to the field are recognized by the present-day researchers, is Franz Boas (Darnell, 2017). Franz Boas and His Role in FieldworkĪnthropological research is a practical approach to exploring cultures and peoples, and the full understanding of the process is possible only with the consideration of works of specialists. Hence, both methods have their advantages and limitations, and the selection of one of them depends on the circumstances. Under time constraints, it is possible only to observe people and write field notes in a form of a personal journal or diary, which can be beneficial in terms of receiving general information (Nelson, 2020). However, this method has its limitations since it is more time-consuming than simple observation. Direct involvement in a group’s activities allows understanding the way of thinking behind the actions and, therefore, receiving more reliable data on the matter (Nelson, 2020). The use of observation and participant observation is beneficial for the research, but the selection of the latter provides better results in terms of details and reliability. Advantages and Limitations of the Methods Hence, the difference between these two techniques is in the degree of one’s involvement in the study. In the case of participant observation, the researcher takes part in the activities of his or her informants to gather the necessary information for further analysis (Nelson, 2020). In the case of observation, he or she examines the interaction of people and the influence of the environment on all of the aspects of their lives (Nelson, 2020). Both approaches seem to be similar, but the process differs depending on the role of the researcher. In order to conduct an anthropological study, one needs to determine the method of gathering data, and this task leads to the selection of either observation or participant observation. Therefore, the paper aims at defining the implication of fieldwork for business anthropology by projecting its outcomes on the needs of companies and considering the case of Franz Boas. The results of these studies are useful not only for anthropologists but also for business specialists (Krause-Jensen, 2017). This term means the process of gathering data on the problems of communities in the natural environment, such as, for example, interpersonal conflicts or contested identity (Nelson, 2020). Fieldwork is the cornerstone of anthropological expertise used by the majority of scholars.
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