Question

Which of the following techniques ensure a systematic way of tracing the line of descent?

• A. Genealogy
• B. Focus Group Discussion
• C. Pedigree
• D. Participant Observation

Hint:

Remember W.H.R. Rivers and the Torres Strait Expedition. This is where the genealogical method was formally established as a cornerstone of anthropological fieldwork for understanding social structure.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question identifies the research method anthropologists use to systematically trace kinship, ancestry, and social connections, which is central to understanding social structure.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Genealogy (The Genealogical Method): This is the precise method, pioneered by W.H.R. Rivers in anthropology, for gathering kinship and descent data. Researchers document an informant's relatives, including ancestors and descendants, and detail their social relationships. It's the primary technique for tracing descent.
- Focus Group Discussion: This is a qualitative technique for collecting perceptions, opinions, and beliefs on a topic, not for tracing descent.
- Pedigree: While a pedigree chart visually represents descent (often used in genetics), genealogy is the anthropological method used to collect data to construct these charts and understand the social system. Genealogy is the broader research process.
- Participant Observation: This core ethnographic method involves cultural immersion for insider understanding. While the genealogical method may be used during participant observation, it is not the defining technique for tracing descent itself.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Genealogy is the specific, systematic method designed for tracing descent and understanding kinship systems.