In my search for words about community-based research, I stumbled across this article and blog that explores connections between neuroanthropology to community based anthropology, or “Applied Anthropology.”
The author, Daniel Lende, is an anthropology professor at the University of Southern Florida. He writes about the unexpected and useful surprises to be found in applied anthropology. Beyond the benefits to the communities in which the research takes place, writes Lende, there can also be added academic merit in applied anthropological studies. This perspective adds value to the field of community based research, seeking to push it from the realm of doing good to the realm of making contributions to the academic sphere.
Lende writes:
Applied work brings a refiguring and expansion of research outcomes that improves the research process. Knowing going into a project that you have to have relevant applied outcomes, whatever shape those might be, brings a set of constraints to the research that can shape the questions, methods, and evidence used. We often think in terms of academic outcomes from research – a conference presentation, a journal paper, and so forth. We need to also think in terms of applied outcomes. Here is my list of the Top Ten Ways for Anthropologists to Make a Difference, as well as Reaching a Broader Public: Five Ideas for Anthropologists.
The article is worth a read, as Lende dives into some interesting concepts exploring methods and outcomes that apply beyond the world of anthropology.
Additionally, take a look below at his video, discussing why he is so passionate about integrative community based work:
-Shelby
SCOPE 