Development of anthropological methodology in relationship between "Self and other"

Abstract

The study examines the shift of perspective on research target and evolution of anthropological theory
and methodology since the Enlightenment to the modern times. Anthropologists have contributed to
the study of others, with the aim of colonial rule in undeveloped and undifferentiated societies since the
time of enlightenment. They have made the mistake of tailoring other cultures from a western perspective.
As an alternative for that problem, they have attempted to develop anthropological methodologies
such as cultural relativism and insider perspectives. However, in advanced research methods, there is
a dilemma of inequality in the relationship between researchers and research targets. In the process of
research, the interaction between the researcher and the target influences the research result, and therefore,
a device was devised to explore the self, the researcher as a participant of research while studying
and writing. As a research method, historical and literature data were examined to reveal the debates
that have been turning points from the Enlightenment to the present in the evolution of anthropological
methodologies and theories.
Key words: anthropological methodology, anthropological theory, fieldwork, ‘self and other’, research
methods.