【Abstract】Karl Popper explained the scientific knowledge heads from the problem， proposed criteria of demarcation of scientific knowledge is falsifiability and reveals the scientific knowledge growth from problem to problem. Hometown study is one of the characteristics of anthropology in China， its particularity brings certain advantages and disadvantages. In this study， first， try to explain of the two， then try to get some revelations from Popper’s philosophy to hometown study.
【Key words】Karl Popper； falsifiability； hometown study
Popper is one of the most famous philosophers of science in the contemporary western world. HermannBondi said that “there is no more to science than its method， and there is no more to its method than Popper has said” （quoted from Colin Simkin， 1993， p.1）. In Popper’s philosophical thought no ultimate source of knowledge， and he opposed as the source and foundation of scientific with investigating and experience. He is going to falsifiability as a criterion of demarcation. Regard science as an endless，ongoing process，the growth of scientific knowledge is the most interesting instances of knowledge growth.
1. No ultimate source of knowledge
Popper thinks the source of knowledge is varied， but no one is authoritative （Popper，1962， p.24）.
1.1 Knowledge does not originate in experience
Criticism of the classic view： observation-induction. The empirical science thinks the knowledge known by experience，， that experience is the source of all knowledge. Popper （1962） acknowledged intellectual intuition and imagination is extremely important， but it is not reliable （p. 28）. They can show things to us so clearly， but we may also be misleading. Theory for the future， the experience in the past， a theory has a richer content than experience. Popper （1962） admitted that the most function of observation， intuition and even the imagine is to help us criticize those bold conjecture which we rely on exploring the unknown， but it is not the source of knowledge，we cherish each source（p. 28）.
1.2 Science begins with problems
Popper believed that scientific knowledge begins with the problem， rather than observe， people should learn more knowledge in the process of trying to solve the problem constantly. He thinks that science should be regarded as continuous cycle process continuous deepening fromone problem to another problem（Popper，1962， p.28）. The process of seeking knowledge is mainly because found problems in the reality， then to observation and experimentation with problems， tentative seek theoretical support. This process carries out new criticism or testing of past knowledge or theory combined with the actual situation.
