The problem of informant accuracy: the validity of retrospective data.

Harvey Bernard; P. Killworth; D. Kronenfeld; L. Sailer

The problem of informant accuracy: the validity of retrospective data.

Harvey Bernard, P. Killworth, D. Kronenfeld, L. Sailer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter

Abstract

The evidence of informant inaccuracy ought not to lead to complaints or despair among researchers. It ought instead to lead to a rich, relatively unexplored arena of inquiry. Informants are not to blame for being wrong. People everywhere get along quite well without being able to dredge up accurately the sort of information that social scientists ask of them. If the latter have a great deal of inaccurate data, then they have only themselves to blame. The instruments of their craft have been used too uncritically. - J.Sheail

Original language	English (US)
Title of host publication	Annual review of anthropology. Vol. 13
Editors	B.J. Siegel
Publisher	Annual Reviews Inc. , Palo Alto
Pages	495-517
Number of pages	23
State	Published - Dec 1 1984
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Cultural Studies
Anthropology
Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

Cite this

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AU - Killworth, P.

AU - Kronenfeld, D.

AU - Sailer, L.

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The problem of informant accuracy: the validity of retrospective data.

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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