Ethnobotany: Methodological notes

Abstract

Ethnobotany is the science or discipline that studies the interrelationship between individuals, populations or human societies and flora. This work was carried out through bibliographical research in several electronic bases in order to identify concepts, methods of approach and research techniques in ethnobotany, with emphasis on free listings and salience index. Among the main conceptual results identified are the inseparability between society, culture and environment; the ability to generate knowledge by associating traditional and scientific knowledge; the potential to create alternatives to mitigate social and environmental impacts and damage and interdisciplinarity. There is diversity and coverage in the objects of study that can be carried out with traditional populations or not; industrialized companies or not; urban and rural populations. Research with medicinal plants has been widely verified. According to the studies surveyed, the researches tend to an applied nature and a variable theoretical-methodological framework, according to the object of study. Ethnobotany contains an essential descriptive methodological aspect. Quantitative and qualitative methods and techniques are used separately or associated. However, this descriptive knowledge is not sufficient, as a theoretical reference, to answer research questions that aim at explanations. For the knowledge of an explanatory nature, it is necessary to have a broader theoretical knowledge for the elaboration of the research, formulation of hypotheses and in the choice of the methods used. Funding: CAPES.