Biological Anthropology
The study of our primate ancestors and how humans evolved physically and adapted to different environments over time.
Overview
Also called physical anthropology, biological anthropology is the branch of anthropology that explores the biological and evolutionary aspects of humans and their closest relatives. It examines how humans have evolved over millions of years, starting with our primate ancestors, and how our species has adapted physically to diverse environments worldwide.
If you’re new to biological anthropology research, the following introduces the field, along with resources for students who want to know more about majoring in anthropology.
Homo neanderthalensis or the Neanderthals are pre-humans who lived in Europe and Asia 40,000 years ago. Palaeoanthropologists also refer to this species as Homo sapiens neanderthalensis.
Source: (Attie Gerber/iStock)
Subject FAQ
If you’re new to doing subject research, you may have questions about the field. Below are four frequently asked questions about subject research with links to resources that explain the discipline and what you can expect from majoring in the field.
Subject Subfields
Most universities teach multiple subfields of [subject]. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Below are separate guides for the subject. Scroll through the listing provided or view all subfields.
Subject Reference
Most universities teach multiple subfields of [subject]. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Below are separate guides for the subject. Scroll through the listing provided or view all subfields.
Subject Databases
Searching general or multi-disciplinary databases can sometimes give you too many results. To narrow your focus, try using a database dedicated to subject research. The list below highlights the top databases for finding subject journals and articles. The following research databases specialize in subject, covering [subfields] and more.
Subject Journals
New researchers in [subject] often wonder how to identify high-quality, peer-reviewed journals for their papers. Journal Citation Reports (JCR) is widely regarded as the leading subscription-based resource for assessing the impact, influence, and quality of scholarly journals across disciplines, including [subject].
Subject News
[subject] news sources and magazines highlight the emerging research topics and trends in the field of [subject], sparking ideas for research questions and assignments. Remember that magazines are written for the general public and lack peer review, while scholarly articles are written by experts and reviewed by other scholars for accuracy and research quality.
Subject Methods
Research methods are how researchers gather and study information to help answer questions. Research methods are the specific strategies, tools, and techniques researchers use to collect and analyze information to answer questions or solve problems.
Research methods can be qualitative (like interviews or observations) or quantitative (numerical and statistical). As a student, you’ll likely take a research methods course that introduces you to the basics of how social science research works. Below are some of the most helpful resources available that explain different types of research methods and discuss how to collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data.
Sage Research Methods is a major subscription database that guides users in understanding research methodologies across different academic disciplines. It provides electronic access to reference books, journal articles, instructional videos, and other qualitative methods resources.
The following resources provide in-depth information on various research design concepts, methodologies, and techniques specific to [subject].
