Hello All Dissertation Students,
I am in the process of finding out a topic for a anthropology dissertation , more specifically in forensic anthropology. Although I am quite sure what I want to do, I am interested in having views of others in the fields, and where they think research is lacking. With a bit of luck, my ideas will be amongst the areas suggested!
I am particularly interested in your thoughts on the fields of forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, and human osteology to write my social anthropology dissertation. Not so much paleoanthropology (unless it is about AMHs, and then perhaps it might be of use).
As for the research on sexing/ageing...I do think it is imperative to keep trying out the methods and finding methods for isolated bones. This can help keep the methods fresh and constantly make improvements to them. Also, the isolated bone methods can be of use in trying to recognize unidentified remains or help un-mix commingled remains.
That being said, I still don't really want to do that for a dissertation topic. Like you said, not very original.
http://www.dissertation-help.co.uk/dissertationguide/anthropologydissertation.htm
That is why I am trying to see if others have noticed areas missing needed information. I have been doing literature reviews (especially Journal of Forensic Sciences and American Journal of Physical Anthro. to find topics I feel need more information, but sometimes others see things that a person can miss on their own.
Do you have any specific areas that you've noticed?
The response to my question I received is as follows:
Response:
Often times dissertations are based on improvements to or gaps in research already conducted. While it may get your degree, this is safe...and boring. Unfortunately, a lot of the research that can be conducted in forensic anthropology is this sort of improvement-based research. I've read numerous papers, theses, etc. on new (and obscure) ways to age, sex, etc. a skeleton. This stuff can already be done. I don