How do we work?

We base our analyses on the method that origens from social anthropology, which consists of establishing direct contact with the agents involved in the subject to be studied. This gives a good close-up of the group investigated, which leads to an understanding of the values, attitudes, beliefs, expectations and the different perceptions of the reality of the poeple, i.e., the factors which determine and ultimately explain people’s behaviour and group dynamics. Direct contact and work with reduced samples makes it possible to gather together certain aspects of social and human character which are often overlooked in purely quantitative studies.

Basically, we use three techniques:

1. Open interviews, so that interviewees feel free to express themselves as they wish; interviews may be individual, brief or in-depth, in groups or aimed at experts.

2. Participant observation in the field of activity of the group of people on which the research is centred, in order to understand their situation and obtain first-hand information.

3. Documentation regarding the object of the study: bibliography, documentation on the Internet, databases, statistics and other documents, such as laws, plans, reports and media content among others.

Another characteristic of the anthropological work is the comparative study. The contrasting of diverse realities makes it possible to identify and analyse socio-cultural aspects which are characteristic of every one of them. These comparisons make it possible to discover diversity, have a closer insight into other realities, and put our own values into perspective. We apply new technologies in order to gather and analyse qualitative data and present the results. To this end, we carry out interdisciplinary work for the continuous improvement of methodology and we maintain close ties with the academic world.