The Methods and Uses of Anthropological Demography - Assignment Example

The Methods and Uses of Anthropological Demography The campus library served as a convenient place for making my observation. This is because a significant proportion of the neighbourhood population is composed of students. Thus, they are often committed to spending a momentous potion of their time in the library. Subsequently, there exists as a vast population of intellectuals, who subscribe to the library services for the pursuit of their research work and subject study. The library capacity is capable of accommodating a significant population of individuals, thus identified as ideal for the exhibition of diversity in behaviour. Subsequently, there are limited restrictions on the attendants of the facility since knowledge is open for all. This implies that issues such as religious restrictions, racial discrimination or economic restrictions are rarely exhibited in this facility. The library structure is sub-divided into four floors, each with a maximum carrying capacity of over five hundred individuals. This assists in identifying the working area in terms of the anticipated population, as well as the area of coverage (Hume 34). When The determination of the appropriate time for conducting the anthropological study was quantified using the visualization of the behaviours exhibited by the target population (Rosenbaum, 45). This was defined by the common trends amongst the participants, as well as the economic patterns exhibited by the population. The aim of the research also contributed in the definition of the framework of time to be accepted for the study. The study sought to investigate on the behaviours of the immediate community. In this case, it was convenient to align the study time to the moments matching the extensive preferential in terms of the patterns of the community. On that note, the morning hours were most convenient. This implied that the study was to be performed during the morning session, from around eight o’clock to around one o’clock. The identification of this study period was based on the study patterns exhibited by the population. The students preferred to perform their study during the morning session and take a break by midday as they head for their midday meals. The senior populations also exhibited a preference of performing their study either in the morning or by the course of the day, especially from ten o’clock to twelve o’clock. The flow of traffic into the library facility offered a convenient opportunity to observe elements such as dress codes of the visiting members while a visit in the facility assisted in the identification of the rest of the behaviour. The evening session also provided an opportunity to study the behavioural patterns of the same population in the non-formal hours. Who The observation was based on the behaviours of the learning population who spend a significant proportion of their time in the facility. The observation focused on their mode of dressing of all the attendants of the facility. A comparison on the anticipated contrasts can be fetched from the variation of the population that will be visiting the facility. This ranges from the staff to the library attendants. Subsequently, the staff will vary from the staff assigned to ensure efficient flow of information across the facility and the staff assigned to ensure there exists a convenient platform for studies. Others will include, the staff who are assigned with the maintenance of the resources in the facility, as well as supplementary services. In a simplified model, these differences can be categorized as being exhibited between the employees and visitors of the facilities. With respect to the dressing code for the visitors, aspects such as a mode of logistic would be utilized to ensure their presence or access to the facility will contribute to their dressing. Those who walked would rarely compare to those who drove to the facility. Subsequently, the nature of the task that they intend to perform at the facility will determine the load that they will carry. This will also be determined by the mode of logistics preferred by the attendants. What The angle of observation was routinely varied in the quest to ensure the variations in behaviour were captured in the exercise. This implies that the observation was not performed on a single or restricted area. The observation on the dressing trends or patterns was performed early in the morning as the study population made their way into the study area. The rest of the study was performed during the operation period of the facility. During this period, some individuals were performing their study with the staff being busy making entries at the circulation desks. Others were engaged in cleaning of the floors in a gentle manner, with ultimate caution on generation of undesired noise. Once in a while, a cell phone rung and the owners were engaged in creating appropriate responds to the call. Some individuals were engaged in lively discussions under the confinement of the study rooms, as well as the carrels. These individuals were assembled in the form of groups that seemed to converse at moderate levels. However, their discussion had no impact since the library design ensured their noise was confined in their area. Other library users had lined against the bookshelves in search of the desired study material while others were busy scanning the catalogues. The depicted image, upon an outlined evaluation was that of a busy environment where every person was busy trying to apprehend his or her tasks (Basu, 34). Some persons were uniformed and conducted several patrols across the facility. These were identified as the security personnel who presumed the role of devising methodologies of ensuring the safety of the attendants was assured. How The definition of the activity that was anticipated be visualized from the library facility was that of a busy population that was buried in the available study resources. However, there were additional events of the meandering officials and the discussions were least anticipated. Why The noted differences could be compared to the advancement of the facility and the dynamic nature of the users. The facility was located in a campus. This placed it to be a pinnacle of events, with an increased tendency being aligned at ensuring that the safety of the attendants, as well as the full utilization of the available resources. The facility was tailor-made for the students, thus the explanation of the additional features as compared to the facilities akin to similar facilities in different backgrounds or environments. Reaction The task of making undetermined walks around the library facility, while armed with a notebook and a pen, was rather overwhelming in terms of the generated attention. It sounded rather awkward to walk staring at individuals who are busy engaged with their personal concerns. At some point, the security personnel got my attention; thus I had to do some explanations. All in all, it was a fascinating occasion observing the behaviours of individuals as I jolt it down on my notebook. Work cited Basu, Alaka and Peter, Aaby. The Methods and Uses of Anthropological Demography. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1998. Print. Hume, Lynne, and Jane, Mulcock. Anthropologists in the Field: Cases in Participant Observation. New York N.Y: Columbia University Press, 2004. Internet resource. Rosenbaum, Paul. Observational Studies. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1995. Print. Read More