lab 1 biological anthroplogy

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Anthropology

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Apr 3, 2024

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Lab 1 biological anthropology 1. What are the two fundamental ideas in anthropology The importance of context The use of a comparative approach 2. Which field of anthropology uses a wide range of data about living and past organisms to study human evolution Biological anthropology 3. What is biocultural approach in biological anthropology A way of studying human behavior and culture that recognizes the complex interplay between biology and sociocultural systems 4. Which subfield of biological anthropology uses the fossil record to examine the anatomy and behavior of our relatives in the past Paleoanthropology 5. Which subfield of biological anthropology applies methods of skeletal analysis to study humans in a legal context Forensic anthropology 6. During which stage of the scientific method is the hypothesis evaluated Data collection 7. In the context of the scientific method what is the hypothesis? How is it different from a scientific theory? Hypothesis: A testable and specific prediction or explanation for a phenomenon, subject to empirical investigation. Scientific Theory: A well-substantiated and comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence, encompassing broader aspects of the natural world. The key difference is in scope and the level of empirical support.

8. Are scientific theories absolute truth? Why or why not? No, scientific theories are not absolute truth. They are the best explanations based on current evidence and are subject to revision or rejection as new evidence emerges or understanding evolves. 9. According to the American Association of Physical Anthropologists (AAPA) code of ethics an anthropologist is primarily responsible to The primary responsibility of anthropologists is to the people, species, and materials they study as well as the people they partner with in their work Lab 1 exercise 2 Biological anthropologists have discovered a previously unknown fossil species. The species lived about 4.4 million years ago in Africa. The dating of this fossil species places it closer in time to the last common ancestor of humans and chimpanzees than most other known fossil species. This newly discovered species has an interesting mix of traits. For example, it has adaptations for climbing in trees as well as for walking on two legs on the ground. It does not directly resemble any of the living ape species, which suggests the living ape species (including humans) have each become adapted to their own environmental contexts over time. 1. Scenario A 2. What is the primary subfield of biological anthropology addressed in this research It would be paleoanthropology 3. How does this research relate to human evolution? In other words, what can we learn about human evolution from research along these lines This research provides insight into human evolution by revealing the timing, adaptations, and diversity within the hominin lineage 4. Which other scholarly disciplines outside anthropology do you think might be interested in this research? Why would they find this research relevant?

Disciplines such as paleoanthropology, evolutionary biology, geology, anatomy, morphology, environmental science, and genetics may find this research relevant. They would be interested due to contributions to understanding ancient life, evolutionary processes, geological context, physical characteristics, environmental adaptations, and genetic relationships Lab 1 exercise 4 Scenarios B (forensic anthropology) Previous research shows that, in humans, the pelvic opening tends to be wider in females than it is in males. 1. Generate a hypothesis about what causes the observed phenomena in the scenario The observed difference in pelvic opening between males and females in humans are likely due to adaptations to childbirth 2. Describe the type or types of data you would ideally collect to test this hypothesis Collect data on how wide hips are in men and women, check if women with wider hips tend to have easier childbirth 3. Describe what hypothetical data might support the hypothesis – for example “the hypothesis would be supported if we found data that indicated The hypothesis would be supported if data showed a significant correlation between wider pelvic openings in females and easier childbirth outcomes 4. Describe what hypothetical data might cause you to reject the hypothesis – for example, the hypothesis would be rejected if we found data that indicated The hypothesis would be rejected if data showed no significant correlation between pelvic width and childbirth outcomes

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5. If you rejected the hypothesis how would you refine and rewrite you hypothesis to account for your findings and begin again If the hypothesis were rejected it could be refined to consider alternative factors influencing pelvic morphology and childbirth outcomes for example the revised hypothesis might focus on a combination of genetics Lab 1 exercise 7 A paleoanthropologist conducts research at a remote fossil site in eastern Africa. The anthropologist is a researcher based at a major university in the United States, and he spends 6 weeks every summer excavating and cataloging fossil materials at the site. The anthropologist have been working in this area for over 15 years, and he was formed close partnerships with local scholars and residents. His current field team is made up of students from the United States and from Kenya, as well as professional colleagues from both countries. He also hires residents from the local village to help with the excavations and to act as field staff, including drivers, cooks, and guides 1. In this situation, the anthropologist is studying fossil materials that are over 2 million years old. From whom should he obtain informed consent for his work The anthropologist should obtain informed consent from Local scholars and residents in the research area Field team members (students, colleagues) from both the United States and Kenya Residents from the local village hired as field staff (drivers, cooks, guides) Individuals in the host country (Kenya) where the research is conducted 2. If he continues to work here for the next 10 years, how often should he reobtain informed consent? Should this be done at regular time intervals? Or should it be done only when something changes (for example, if he moves to a different excavation area at the site) The anthropologist should reobtain informed consent at regular time intervals 3. Each summer, the anthropologist hires local residents to help at the site. He compensates them with a small wage that is comparable to their local income standards, but much lower than what he would pay similar workers back in the United States. When the field season ends, he and his financial support leave the community until the next summer. Is he adequately reciprocating with the local residents or do you have recommendations for how he should modify the financial relationship

The anthropologist should consider enhancing reciprocity by ensuring fair compensation 4. One summer, the anthropologist returns to the site at the start of a new field season. He discovers that the same local residents who he hires in the summer have allowed their cattle to graze on the site over the winter while he was gone. The cattle have trampled some of the site and have permanently damaged the irreplaceable fossil materials. How should he proceed The anthropologist should address the situation by Documenting the damage thoroughly for future reference Engaging in open communication with the local residents to discuss the impact on the site and express concerns 5. The anthropologist is attending the annual conference of the American Association of Physical Anthropologist (AAPA) and he is chatting with another paleoanthropologist named jane who works at a nearby fossil site in eastern Africa. Jane asks if he will share his fossil data with her so she can compare the information from the two locations. He is hesitant to do so. He has devoted his career to the information uncovered at this site, and he worries that sharing the data with jane will undermine his authority in the discipline. How should he proceed The anthropologist should prioritize scientific collaboration and the advancement of knowledge 6. The anthropologist is very proud of the work his team is doing and he would like to share it with a general audience. What formats might he use to spread the word about his work to the general public? What precautions might he take to make sure the information is spread accurately? Is there anything else he should keep in mind sharing the research with the public? The anthropologist can use various formats to share his work with the general public Popular science articles Public lectures Documentary or video series Precautions to ensure accurate information Peer review

Collaboration with science communicators Fact checking 6. In the scientific method, why is it important to generate hypotheses before collecting data They guide the research process, shaping the design of experiments or observations 7. In what way is the scientific method a continuous cycle the results obtained from one cycle inform the formulation of new hypotheses or refined theories leading to further investigation 8. How does nonscientist’s view of a theory differ from a scientists view A nonscientist may view a theory as a speculative or uncertain idea on the other hand a scientist understands a theory as a well substantiated and comprehensive explanation supported by extensive evidence and rigorous testing 9. In this lab we explored the Code of Ethics outlined by the American Association of Physical Anthropologist (AAPA). Many anthropological organizations have similar ethical guidelines that may be relevant to biological anthropologist. Review one of the following ethic codes and describe 1 how the code is similar to the AAPA Code of Ethics 2 how the code is different from the AAPA Code of Ethics and 3 what changes you might make to the AAPA Code of Ethics based on what you learned Anthropologist must make good faith efforts to identify and address ethical conflict before beginning their work

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