Sampling for Cross-Cultural Anthropological Research
Lectures
Sampling for Worldwide Cross-Cultural Comparisons
Carol Ember discusses how to sample cultures from the ethnographic record in an appropriate scientific manner and the primary samples available to researchers, including the Standard Cross-Cultural Sample, the Probability Sample Files, the Simple Random Sample, and the Ethnographic Atlas.
Phylogenies as a Sampling Philosophy
Fiona Jordan introduces the importance of understanding Galton’s Problem—in which shared ancestry might result in traits believed to have arisen anew actually arising from a common ancestral population. Discusses phylogenetic approaches in biology and introduces the use of cultural phylogenetic approaches as a technique commonly used by anthropologists both for answering cultural evolutionary questions and selecting cultural samples in ways which mitigate many of the complications commonly posed by Galton’s Problem.
Why Galton’s Problem Should Not Be So Worrisome
Many cross-cultural researchers are worried about what is known as “Galton’s Problem.” Carol Ember takes an alternative view and suggests reasons why Galton’s Problem should not normally be of concern.
Presentation Slides
Suggested Reading
Chapter 6 in Ember/Ember 2009
Additional Reading
Mace, R., Pagel, M. (1994). The comparative method in anthropology. Current Anthropology, 35(5), 549-564.