Final answer:
Ruth Benedict researched Japanese culture by conducting interviews and observations of Japanese people who were confined to internment camps during World War II. Her conclusions have been controversial due to her research methods and reliance on a small number of informants.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ruth Benedict researched Japanese culture by conducting interviews and observations of Japanese people who were confined to internment camps during World War II. She described the Japanese people in terms of common personality traits, such as reverence for the emperor and a moral sense guided by shame. However, her research methods and reliance on a small number of informants have been controversial, as critics argue that her conclusions may be skewed and not representative of the entire Japanese culture.