Investigating how society works is critical for understanding how it will evolve and what problems it might face in the future. Thus, Laura Nader admits that ethnography is often summarized as a description in context rather than as theory. However, it is not always correct, as in many cases, specific theoretical assumptions may be formulated. At the same time, Nader is sure that ethnographers should be motivated and select problems that offer a new perspective on a particular issue that has been considered conventionally for an extended period. It would contribute to a better understanding of how the world evolves.
Furthermore, Nader introduces the idea of studying up as a means of collecting new types of data. The term means that anthropologists should shift their attention to new fields of inquiry to analyze the culture of power rather than the behavior of those affected by this power. In other words, it is vital to investigate why rich people become richer rather than the problems of the poor and their evolution. In such a way, by combining studying up and studying down, it is possible to create a more comprehensive world image.
Nader’s ideas can be applied to existing social problems to uncover new data that might help identify possible solutions. For instance, in Western Washington state, house prices continue to increase, making it difficult to afford. For this reason, it is possible to study up on the issue and focus on analyzing lenders and mortgage providers and their work, as they are the primary beneficiaries.
Higher housing prices lead to larger mortgage loans, which suggests that this project might help clarify the role of these agencies in controlling the real estate market. It can be expected that data on their actions aimed at influencing prices in this sphere can be collected. In this way, studying up can be a potent approach to analyzing an issue from an unusual perspective.