METHODS FOR COLLECTING PANEL DATAWhat Can Cultural Anthropology Learnfrom Other Disciplines?

摘要

In this article, we argue for the increased use ofpanel data in cultural anthropology.Panel data, or repeated measures from the same units of observation at differenttimes, have proliferated across the social sciences, with the exception ofanthropology. The lack of panel data in anthropology is puzzling since paneldata are well-suited for analyzing continuity and change—central concernsof anthropological theory. Panel data also establish temporal order in causalanalysis and potentially improve the reliability and accuracy of measurement.We review how researchers in anthropology and neighboring disciplines havedealt with the unique challenges of collecting panel data and draw lessons forminimizing the adverse consequences of measurement error, for reducing attrition,and for ensuring continuity in management, archiving, documentation, financing,and leadership. We argue that increased use of panel data has the potential toadvance empirical knowledge and contribute to anthropological theory