Methodological challenges to the study of amazonian riverine communities

Abstract

The aim of this article is to bring some methodological considerations necessary to studies and field researches conducted in Amazonian riverine communities, from Social Psychology. As a result of our contact and experience with indigenous communities of this region of the country, we intend to emphasize what are the minimum conditions that make possible searches in these places. We argue about the field research, which requires a scientific attitude of recognition of the non-neutrality and of the ethical and political commitment of the act of researching. We discuss also about some important and specific guidelines, by which the social psychologist may conduce a research in Amazonian riverine communities. Finally, we present some suggestions for techniques and instruments relevant to investigations in these locations.