Final answer:
The genealogical method is a characteristic ethnographic research technique focused on understanding kin connections and how they influence sociocultural relationships within societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
As one of the ethnographer's characteristic field research methods, the genealogical method is a technique that focuses on kin connections. This method was pioneered by W.H.R. Rivers and involves systematic inquiry into the social structure of societies, particularly by understanding family and kinship. Through this method, ethnographers conduct research, often involving face-to-face interviews or surveys, to explore sociocultural relationships and how they are affected by family dynamics. The genealogical method allows for a depiction of kin relationships through charts, emphasizing the importance of cultural definitions of kinship over biological ties. This approach is central to comprehending myriad social institutions such as inheritance, education, and politics, which are integral to the fabric of different cultures.