The authors of this book share a common assumption about anthropology—that replicable and systematic procedures of data collection and analysis are essential requirements for building useful cultural theory. They view cultural theory as both an aid to understanding sociocultural phenomena, and as an aid in changing existing social conditions. This book focuses on five specific themes representing a set of principles for conducting research: the importance of intra-cultural variation; the blending of qualitative and quantitative approaches; the search for micro/macro levels of generalization; the innovative matching of methodology to research problems; and the practical or applied merit of systematically generated and evaluated theory. It contributes to scientific anthropology and shows that the credibility and utility of anthropological research in policy matters is enhanced by scientific research methodology.

Table of Contents:
Tables and Figures Preface 1. Anthropological Research: Process and Application Introduction II. Intracultural Variation Introduction to Part Two 1. Culture, Stress, and Depressive Symptoms: Building and Testing a Model in a Specific Setting William W. Dressler 2. Pattern Probability Models of Intracultural Diversity: Tobacco Smoking Among Shrimp Fishermen Michael C. Robbins and Annette Kline 3. Intracultural and Intrasocial Variability as a Tool for Policy Making in Fisheries Development and Management John J. Poggie, Jr. III. Qualitative/Quantitative Introduction to Part Three 4. Child Feeding During Diarrhea in North India: The Use of Complementary Methods Margaret E. Bentley, Gretel H. Pelto, Lindsay H. Allen, Meenu Mathur, and Dijouratie Sanogo 5. Patients' Use of Freestanding Emergency Centers: A Multimethod Approach to Health Services Research Barbara Rylko-Bauer 6. The Sociocultural Environment in the Genesis and Amelioration of Opium Dependence Joseph Westermeyer IV. Microlevel/Macrolevel Introduction to Part Four 7. Society and Land Degradation in Central America: Issues in Theory, Method and Practice Susan C .Stonic 8. Agrarian Reform and the Food Crisis in Mexico: Microlevel and Macrolevel Processes Kathleen M. Dewalt And Billie R. Dewalt 9. Unwanted Children as a Consequence of Delocalization in Modern Kenya Philip L. Kilbride V. Methods for Special Purposes Introduction to Part Five 10. "Practical History" and the Poarch Creeks: A Meeting Ground for Anthropologist and Tribal Leaders J. Anthony Paredes 11. Domain Analysis of Lost Scenes from Roanoke, West Virginia: An Aid to Modeling in Historic Preservation John M. Roberts And Ronald C. Carlisle VI. Epilogue Introduction to Part Six 12. Anthropological Research Methods and Applications: Taking Stock Pertti J. Pelto Notes and References Contributors Index