Problem
Be sure you have read Claire Sterk's article "Tricking and Tripping" for Applied Anthropology the link is at the end of this tricking and tripping article. This assignment involves both applied anthropology and anthropological research methods. Choose one scenario in the PDF inserted here, and discuss how you would investigate the situation as an Applied Anthropologist. Approach this as if you were hired by an outside organization to solve the problem you choose from one of the slides, and design a research plan to address the issues.
Include the following in your response:
A. Which scenario did you choose? (Scenario I, Scenario II, Scenario III, Scenario IV, Scenario V, or Scenario VI)
B. What type of applied anthropology does the scenario come under? (Refer to the slides.)
C. How would you research the problem? What research methods would you use? (Refer to the Research Methods.)
D. How would you recruit participants for the research study? What demographic would you focus on?
E. Based on your data, what recommendations would you make to the people who hired you?
Scenario I
An urban high school is located in a very dense part of the city, and the student body is very diverse. Students of various ethnic groups have segregated themselves, and only interact with other students of the same ethnic group. The various groups do not participate in campus events, and recently, an increase in race-related fights has occurred between the different groups. The school district has hired you to work with the principal and school staff to increase racial harmony among the student body. What would you do?
Scenario II
Globally, the incidence of breast cancer is on the rise, whereas in past, it was only associated with modern industrialized nations like the United States. As countries develop and adopt the characteristics of modern nations, the incidence of breast cancer increases. For example, as rural women move to urban cities to go to work, changes in their diet and lifestyle take place, such as how they feed their newborns. Bottle feeding is seen as modern and convenient. However, recent studies demonstrate a correlation between breast cancer incidence as less women breast feed. A local health organization has hired you to gather more information about this problem. What would you do?
Scenario III
The U.S. Census is taking place this year. In previous census years, the Samoan community has been drastically underrepresented in their communities, causing a lack of federal services, or funding agencies combining services for Samoans along with the Asian population. Samoans' health issues differ greatly from those of the Asian community. Samoan elders have asked you to partner with them to increase participation in the census. What would you do?
Scenario IV
In an impoverished community of mostly immigrants, living near downtown Los Angeles, childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate. The parents of these children speak very little English, and mostly walk or use public transportation to buy their food. The school district has hired a health organization that implemented an awareness program directed at the children called "Go Organic for Your Health". They brought in speakers from organic farms (located 60 miles away) to teach children about the benefits of eating fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, and educated children about the nutrients found in different fruits and vegetables. After a year-long health campaign, surveys of children indicated no change in their dietary habits. The health organization has hired you to investigate the problem. What would you do?
Scenario V
Only a few members of a Native American tribe still speak their native language. These members are getting older, and scattered across the rural part of the state. The younger members of the tribe mostly live in the cities, and are either too busy or uninterested in learning about their culture. Tribal elders have asked you to work with them to implement a language preservation program. What would you do?
Scenario VI
Yogurt sales for a well-known yogurt company have recently declined. To tap into a new demographic, the company developed a new product designed for busy people. This product is basically the same yogurt, in the same cup, but now with a fancy new label and a plastic spoon attached. When they tested the new product among the new demographic, busy people indicated they were not likely to buy the new product. The company has hired you to help them out. What would you do?