Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER
1
Introdu
ction to Skeletal
Biology
Elizabeth A. DiGangi, Megan K. Moore
GOALS OF THIS TEXTBOOK
This topic is designed as an intermediary text to fit between introductory textbooks for
new undergraduates and advanced texts for graduate students and professors. Advanced
undergraduates or first-year graduate students are often expected to generate their own
original research project. However, no comprehensive texts geared towards this specific
student demographic previously existed for skeletal biology that unified the following six
themes: (1) the specifics of the scientific method; (2) overviews and theory behind each
subfield within skeletal biology; (3) the types of scientific questions that each subfield seeks
to answer; (4) the specific methods used in each subfield for research; (5) how to narrow
down an area of interest and steps to take once that has occurred; and (6) how to present
and publish results. This topic addresses all of these aforementioned topics and therefore
aims to act as a “pocket” advisor.
Some of the readers of this volume will have outstanding advisors who provide sage and
timely advice throughout the entire academic process, others will have advisors who take
less of a hands-on approach. This topic has been written for students in both of the above
situations, as well as for those who fall somewhere in the middle. We hope to shed light
on how research projects are developed by walking students through the process of choosing
a research direction, highlighting not only background but exciting new developments in
each area of skeletal biology. Each chapter presents one or more case studies that break
down a research project in different ways for the reader. Finally, the ultimate responsibility
of scientists is to share their results, so at the end of the volume we offer suggestions about
how to present papers and submit manuscripts for publication. Reading these pages will
hopefully reduce the mystery of the research process and set the student reader on the
path towards becoming a successful skeletal biologist. This chapter will therefore begin
the journey by providing a brief introduction and history of biological anthropology and
the specialization of skeletal biology.
There are several authoritative topics that should be used as complements to this one. We
recommend Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains by
Buikstra and
Ubelaker (1994)
for a detailed treatment on how to record the cranial and postcranial skel-
eton. In addition, there are other excellent resources covering many of the topics herein;
