Research Ethics in Applied Anthropology

The defining characteristics of applied anthropology are first, a strong commitment to social change through the application of anthropological concepts and skills in collaborative and interdisciplinary research, and second, a fundamental belief in the importance of utilizing anthropological knowledge. The type of research conducted by applied anthropologists may involve evaluations of ongoing human behavior or interventions designed to change that behavior. Recognizing the inherent difficulties of applied fieldwork, the National Association for the Practice of Anthropology has drafted a set of ethical guidelines that address specific responsibilities incumbent on the anthropologist in advocacy or nonacademic roles: