What type of research is typically used to study cultural phenomena?

Ethnographic research is specifically designed to study cultural phenomena as it focuses on the in-depth understanding of people's behaviors, beliefs, and social interactions within their own cultural contexts. This type of research often involves immersive observation, interviews, and participation in the daily lives of the subjects being studied, allowing researchers to gain rich qualitative insights into how culture influences behavior and social structures.

Unlike experimental research, which tests hypotheses under controlled conditions to establish cause-and-effect relationships, ethnographic research is more descriptive and holistic, capturing the nuances of cultural practices without manipulating variables. While quantitative research incorporates statistical methods to analyze data, it may not fully capture the complexities and subtleties of cultural phenomena, as it often relies on numerical data rather than subjective experiences. Meta-analysis, on the other hand, synthesizes findings from multiple studies but does not involve original data collection on cultural phenomena itself. Therefore, ethnographic research stands out as the most appropriate methodology for studying culture.