美国民俗学者研究民俗学的方法较多。有实地采集法、分项研究法、对比研究法等等。下面着重谈谈美国民俗学者采用的阐释法、结构分析法和纵横研究法。 1.阐释研究法[interpreting approach] 这种方法在美国虽然实用但并不普遍。因为这是一项难度较大的工作。一因为是要对所存在的某些民俗现象进行阐释必需要另找材料作根据。因此,多数情况是通过对原材料进行分析,然后凭借猜测和推断进行阐释。二是因为有些传说中的东西如:龙、魔杖、神灵等只是人们想象出来的并非真有此物。三是因为一种传说会有多种 American folklorists study folklore more ways. Field collection method, sub-research method, comparative research method and so on. The following focuses on the interpretation of American folkloric scholars, structural analysis and vertical and horizontal research. 1. Interpretation method [interpreting approach] This method in the United States although practical but not common. Because this is a difficult job. Because it is necessary to explain some of the existing folk phenomena must find another material basis. Therefore, in most cases, raw materials are analyzed and then interpreted with guesswork and inference. Second, because some of the legendary things such as: dragons, magic wands, gods and other people just imagine it is not this thing. Third, because there is a variety of legends