• Write my thesis
  • Thesis writers
  • Buy thesis papers
  • Bachelor thesis
  • Master's thesis
  • Thesis editing services
  • Thesis proofreading services
  • Buy a thesis online
  • Write my dissertation
  • Dissertation proposal help
  • Pay for dissertation
  • Custom dissertation
  • Dissertation help online
  • Buy dissertation online
  • Cheap dissertation
  • Dissertation editing services
  • Write my research paper
  • Buy research paper online
  • Pay for research paper
  • Research paper help
  • Order research paper
  • Custom research paper
  • Cheap research paper
  • Research papers for sale
  • Thesis subjects
  • How It Works

Anthropology Research Topics And Writing Ideas For Students

anthropology research topics

Writing an anthropology research paper is in a lot of ways similar to writing an argumentative essay in other disciplines. Usually, the significant difference between these essays is how you support your idea. While you may use only literature to prove your point in an argumentative essay, you may need to employ textual proofs from artifacts, ethnographies, etc., in an anthropology essay.

Research in anthropology could be thrilling, particularly if you have many anthropology project ideas. Anthropology studies the evolution of human culture and therefore provides a wide range of anthropology essay topics that spill into history, biology, sociology, etc. Many anthropological research projects borrow from other social sciences. It is easy to feel that overwhelming grip on your chest if you’re unable to choose an anthropology research topic.

How to Write an Anthropology Research Paper

Guide how to write an anthropology research paper, the excellent list of 110 anthropology research paper topics, physical anthropology research paper topics, medical anthropology research paper topics, cultural anthropology research paper ideas, best cultural anthropology essay topics, biological anthropology research paper topics.

  • Forensic Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Are you worried because you don’t know how to write an anthropology paper? Writing an anthropology paper could be so much fun if you can nail the basics. It is not as bad as people paint it to be, especially if you get writing help from our professional writers . With the right anthropology paper format, anthropology research topics, and anthropology research paper examples, you’re set to go!

If you’re a big fan of doing lots of things in a short time and with fewer efforts, then you’re in the right place. This guide is full of the tips and skills you need to arrange your ideas properly. It also contains anthropology paper examples, anthropology paper topics, and other life-saving tips you may need. Ready to know how to start an anthropology research paper? Let’s delve right in!

How do you get started on an anthropology research paper? Below is the most comprehensive list on the internet to get you home and dry in record time!

  • Review the Assignment Guidelines
  • Develop a Topic
  • Outline your Paper
  • Do some Library Research
  • Write a Rough Draft
  • Write the Paper
  • Edit the Paper

We shall shortly expound on this list to help you better understand them.

  • Review the Assignment Guidelines: your professor may give you some guidelines to follow. To avoid deviating from the instructor’s expectations, spend some time reviewing your assignment guidelines so that you know the exact things you need to accomplish. For example, confirm if there are any stated anthropology research methods and the likes. It is beneficial to have a writing schedule. If you have a lot of time in your hands before the submission time, spreading out the workload will help to ease some of the stress. If you’re naturally a binge writer, sit at your computer early and bleed!
  • Develop a Topic:  search for some anthropology research paper ideas and choose from the vast array of anthropology research topics available. Select a topic that revolves around a guiding question. This topic should connect on a deeper level to the theme of the course. The length requirement for the paper will help you know if your topic is too big, too small, or just good enough. For a short paper, you may want to focus on a particular culture or event in the context of a broader topic. Ensure that your thesis focuses on anthropology and that it draws from anthropological theories or ideas. Now, do a quick search to confirm if there are scholarly materials available for this topic. It is easier to write a paper with some available references.
  • Introduction/Abstract
  • Library Research: now, start the research on your topic, preferably from course materials. A bibliography at the end of a relevant course reading is also a great way to get other related materials. Depending on the requirement of the assignment, feel free to search for other books or articles.
  • Write a Rough Draft: during your research, endeavor to make proper jottings and references, which will form the rough draft of your essay. A rough draft will help you create dots that you will be able to connect later on.
  • Title: Usually on a separate page and contains the abstract.
  • Introduction/Abstract : A short paragraph showing the road map of your thesis.
  • Body: Leverages your thesis and presenting your research in a detailed and logical structure.
  • Conclusion: The conclusion is a short paragraph that summarizes your fundamental theme and substantiates your thesis.
  • References: A citation of the resources you used in your paper. Follow the referencing style which your instructor chooses.
  • Edit the Paper:  you may engage any of your friends to help you go through your essay. Make some final checks such as the length requirement, the format and citation style, spelling and grammatical errors, logical flow of ideas and clarity, substantial support of the claim, etc. Once you edit your paper, turn it in and accept an A+!

Without further ado, here are 110 anthropology research paper topics for free! With 18 topics each from the six main subcategories of anthropology, you can’t get it wrong!

  • Eugenics — its merits and demerits in the 21st-century world.
  • Human Origin: Comparing the creationist versus evolutionist views on the origin of man.
  • Ancient Egypt: The preservation of their dead and underlying beliefs.
  • Homo habilis: Investigating Contemporary facts supporting their past existence.
  • Drowning: Clarifying the cause of drowning by examining the physical and anatomical evidence.
  • Smoking and its effects on the physical appearance of humans over decades of indulgence.
  • Physical labor: Exploring its long-term impact on the physical appearance of humans.
  • The relationship of Kyphosis with human senescence.
  • Aging in Western Culture.
  • Skin color: Exploring the influence of the environment on human skin color across continents.
  • Species and language: Focus on ways species evolve across the world and ways language acquisition affects and influences culture.
  • Abiogenesis: Research about abiogenesis and how it affects human development
  • Animal stability: How captive animals are different from those that live in the wild.
  • Henry Walter: The ways Henry Walter contributed to the field of physical anthropology.
  • Cephalization: The process of cephalization and what it entails.
  • Genotype: The environment correlation study.
  • Genetics: What does genetic hijacking mean?
  • Altruism: Do people learn altruism or it is an acquired state.
  • Applying the Concepts of Ethnozoology in medicine.
  • Critically Assessing the fundamental posits of critical medical anthropology (CMA).
  • The 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in Africa: Evaluating the success of control interventions.
  • Exploring the applications of Ethnobotany in medicine.
  • Nuclear disaster: A research into the life of survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.
  • HIV/AIDS: The reasons for prevalent societal infamy and the way forward.
  • HIV/AIDS epidemic in Europe: Exploring the roles of commercial sex workers in the spread of the disease.
  • Alternative medicine in China: A comparative review of its weaknesses and possible strengths in the light of Orthodox medicine.
  • HIV/AIDS in Africa: A critical assessment of extensively troubled nations and populations.
  • Depression in South-East Asia: Sheer social noise or severe threat?
  • Adult’s onset diabetes: Research on how diabetes is a major health issue in aboriginal populations in The U.S and Canada.
  • ARV rollout: The role of the ARV rollout and campaigns in Africa.
  • Sexual diversity in Africa: Research on whether sexual diversity in Africa is being taken into account to help fight against AIDS.
  • Chemicals and radiation waste: How the radiation waste and chemicals in the air are affecting people.
  • Mercury poisoning: The effects of Mercury poisoning in Minamata, Japan, and the measures to help put the situation under control.
  • Health: The health ramifications of adapting to ecology and maladaptation.
  • Health: Domestic healthcare and health culture practices
  • Clinic: Clinical interactions in social organizations.
  • Growth: Difference between growth and development.
  • Engineering: Genetic engineering and what it entails.
  • Marriage: Marriage rituals in different cultures.
  • Magic: Belief in magic and the supernatural.
  • Mythologies: The effects it has on modern culture.
  • Anthropology: How to use anthropology as forensic science.
  • Heroes: Studies of heroes in different societies.
  • Education: How education differs around the world.

Cultural anthropology discusses human societies and their cultural origin, vacation, history, and development. Here is a look at cultural Anthropology topics:

  • Women in Africa: The various challenging roles that women in Modern Africa play and how they handle it.
  • Homelessness: How homelessness affects and influences the culture and social landscapes.
  • India: Methods and measures that India is taking to deal with the issue of homelessness and measures they have put in place to deal with social landscapers.
  • Political science: Highlight and discuss the link between cultural anthropology and political science.
  • Superstition: Research ways that superstition affects the way of life.
  • Sexual discrimination: The evolution of sexual discrimination and its effects in modern times.
  • African cultures: Investigating how different religions and beliefs impact African culture.
  • Northern Nigeria: How the basic religious beliefs that influence forced nuptials among the children in North Nigeria.
  • Gay marriage: The background on gay marriage and how it influences the cultural and social backgrounds.
  • Racism: Explain racism and its existence in modern times.
  • Religious practices: Ways how religious practices and beliefs affect culture.
  • Culture shock: What it is and ways that people can work through it.
  • Ethnocentrism: Ways that you can use to minimize it.
  • Ancestors: A view of ancestors in African culture.
  • Religion: Religious practices in a particular society.
  • Culture: About the Rabari culture in India
  • Definition of culture
  • How culture anthropology links to political science
  • Alcoholism: Looking into the socio-economic and cultural history in Eastern Europe.
  • Assessing the effects of radioactivity on populations affected by the nuclear disaster of 2011 in Fukushima Daiichi.
  • Gay marriage: Exploring the biological aspects of same-sex weddings in North America.
  • Minamata disease: A critical look into the origin, populations affected, and transgenerational impact of this disease on Japan.
  • Asthma disease in Yokkaichi: A critical look into the cause, people affected, and transgenerational effect on Japan.
  • Itai-Itai disease: A critical look into the cause, populations affected, and transgenerational effect on Japan.
  • Nuclear bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki: An investigation of the transgenerational effects on the health of affected victims to this present time.
  • Cocaine use in America: A critical look into the health impact on American cocaine users.
  • Making Marijuana use legal in America: Possible woes and beneficial outcomes.
  • Cystic fibrosis: Justifications for its preponderance in white populations in America.
  • Biological Anthropology: Research on the meaning and definition of biological Anthropology and how it influences different fields.
  • Paleoanthropology: Explore ways Paleoanthropology uses fossil records to draw biological anthropology compassion and conclusions regarding human evolution.
  • Human social structures: Explain the development of human social structures using biological anthropology.
  • Biological anthropologies: Research on some primary geographical locations where biological anthropologies used to research their work.
  • Human language: Research how biological anthropology helped in the development of human language and communication.
  • Body projects: The changes and the valued attributes.
  • Political ecology: The Vector-borne and infectious disease.
  • Clinical Interactions: What are clinical interaction and social organization?

Forensic Anthropology Research Paper Ideas

  • Radioactive Carbon dating: A critical assessment of the accuracy of this dating technique.
  • Human Origin: Pieces of evidential support for Creationist and Evolutionist views on the origin of man.
  • Assessing the accuracy of DNA evidence testing and matching on criminology.
  • Neanderthals: Exploring environmental influences and migratory paths on their survival and appearance.
  • Dating Techniques: A critical review of current archaeological dating techniques.
  • Ancient Egypt Mummification: A critical look at the effectiveness of the methods used.
  • Nuclear disaster: A research into the impact of radioactivity on life forms due to the atomic catastrophe Chernobyl in 1986.
  • A critical look into recent evidence supporting the existence of Homo habilis in the past.
  • Crime Scene Forensics: Recent advances in the detection of crime.
  • Postmortem Changes: Investigating the primary agents responsible for biological changes in humans.
  • Criminal procedure: Research a case with a confession scenario and highlight unique features of the case.
  • Criminal procedure: Do your research on the criminal proceedings in a given area and what makes them effective.
  • Computer forensic: Ways that the computer forensic help in preserving electronic evidence.
  • Digital forensic: Research about the history and features of digital forensic.
  • History: Ways that Israel presents itself as a leader in computer forensics.
  • Oncology: The latest archaeological dating methods.
  • DNA: How accurate is DNA evidence in the matching and testing criminology?
  • Crime detention: The recent improvements of crime detection.

So here we are! Fifty juicy topics that are all eager to wear some flesh! Ready to have an A+? Let’s do it!

Are you stuck with writing your thesis? Just enter promo “ mythesis ” – that’s all you need to get a 20% discount for any anthropology writing assignment you might have!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

  • How It Works
  • PhD thesis writing
  • Master thesis writing
  • Bachelor thesis writing
  • Dissertation writing service
  • Dissertation abstract writing
  • Thesis proposal writing
  • Thesis editing service
  • Thesis proofreading service
  • Thesis formatting service
  • Coursework writing service
  • Research paper writing service
  • Architecture thesis writing
  • Computer science thesis writing
  • Engineering thesis writing
  • History thesis writing
  • MBA thesis writing
  • Nursing dissertation writing
  • Psychology dissertation writing
  • Sociology thesis writing
  • Statistics dissertation writing
  • Buy dissertation online
  • Write my dissertation
  • Cheap thesis
  • Cheap dissertation
  • Custom dissertation
  • Dissertation help
  • Pay for thesis
  • Pay for dissertation
  • Senior thesis
  • Write my thesis

195 Top Anthropology Topics For Great Thesis

anthropology research topics

Anthropology is one of the most interesting disciplines that you can pursue at the university level. The whole idea of exploring everything known about human beings, from their origins to evolution, is pretty exciting.

However, the study requires preparing multiple assignments, which can be pretty challenging because you need a deep understanding of biology, history, and culture. The first step, which is even more stressful when preparing an anthropology paper, is selecting the right topic. So, we are here to help.

In this post, we have a list of the best anthropology topics that you can use to get good grades. To help you increase the chances of scoring the best grade in your paper, we have also included a comprehensive guide on how to write your paper like a pro.

What Is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the study of humanity, and it is concerned about human biology, behavior, societies, cultures and linguistics in the past and present. The discipline stretches back to the study of past human species. Because of its broad nature, it is broken down into a number of units, with each focusing on a specific area:

Social anthropology: Focuses on patterns of human behavior. Cultural anthropology: This branch mainly focuses on culture, including values and norms in the society. Linguistic anthropology: Unlike the other two, this branch of anthropology targets determining how language impacts people’s lives. Biological anthropology: This branch focuses on studying the biological development of humans. Archaeological anthropology: This branch of anthropology is concerned with investigating humans in the past. In some jurisdictions, such as Europe, it is considered a full discipline like geography or history.

How To Write Best Quality Anthropology Research Paper

When your professors issue anthropology research paper prompts, one of the questions that you might have is, “how do I write a high level paper?” Here are the main steps that you can use to write a great college paper.

Step One: Understand the Assignment The biggest mistake that you can make is starting an assignment without understanding what it entails. So, read the prompt carefully and grasp what is needed. For example, does your teacher want a qualitative or quantitative research paper? For masters and graduate students, it might be a quantitative anthropology dissertation. Step Two: Select the Preferred Research Paper Topic The topic that you select is very important, and it is advisable to go for the title that is interesting to you. Furthermore, the topic should have ample resources to help you complete the paper smoothly. If there are no books, journals, and other important resources to prepare the paper, there is a risk of getting stuck midway. Once you select the topic, carry preliminary research to gather key points that you will use to prepare the paper. However, these points are not final and will need to get updated along the way. Step Three: Develop Your Research Paper Outline An outline defines the structure of the paper. It makes further research and preparing the paper pretty straightforward. Also, it eliminates the risk of forgetting important bits of the research paper. To make the paper more informative, make sure to add supportive information progressively. Step Four: Write the Thesis Statement of Your Paper The thesis statement of a paper is your stand about the topic that you are writing about. The statement comes in the introduction but will further be restated in conclusion. The information you present on the research paper will approve or disapprove your thesis statement. Step Five: Write the Draft Paper After gathering the information about the topic, it is time to get down and prepare the first draft. So, strictly follow the prepared outline to craft a good paper, starting with the introduction to the conclusion. If you are writing a dissertation, it might be good to tell your supervisor about the progress. Remember that a dissertation is more comprehensive than a research paper. To write a dissertation, you should start with the introduction, followed by the literature review, research methods, results, discussion, and finally, conclusion. Step Six: Write the Final Paper After finishing the draft, it is time to refine it further and make the work exceptional. Therefore, you might want to go through more resources to establish if there is anything more helpful to add. Finally, edit your paper and proofread the paper. You might also want to ask a friend to help with proofreading to identify mistakes that might have skipped your eye.

Next, we will highlight the leading anthropology topics that you should consider. So, pick the preferred one or tweak it a little to suit your needs.

Top 20 Anthropology Paper Topics

  • How does the environment impact the color of a person?
  • The advantages and disadvantages of eugenics in the 21st century.
  • A closer look at the aging process in the western culture.
  • What are the implications of physical labor on the physique of a person?
  • Define the relationship between Kyphosis to human senescence
  • Does smoking impact the appearance of a human being?
  • Death caused by drowning: How to determine it through examination of physical and anatomical evidence.
  • Existence of Homo Habilis is supported by modern facts.
  • Compare two theories that explain the origins of human beings.
  • A review of key beliefs about human body preservation in ancient Egypt.
  • The role played by storytelling in different cultures.
  • Applying anthropology as forensic science.
  • Heroes in society.
  • Closed societies.
  • Emergency of terrorism into a culture.
  • Feminism application in different cultures.
  • A review of the concept of wellness in different cultures.
  • What role does literature play in human development?
  • Analyzing conflicts in Latin American and Asian cultures.
  • Genetic engineering and anthropology: How are they related?

Interesting Anthropology Topics

  • Investigating how religious beliefs impact the Hispanic cultures.
  • A review of the evolution of sexual discrimination.
  • The impact of culture on same sex marriages: A case study of LGBT community in France.
  • A closer look at racism in modern societies.
  • Causes of homelessness among the Hispanic communities.
  • Causes and effects of homelessness among the Indian people in Asia.
  • Comparing the strategies adopted to deal with homelessness in the US and India.
  • Cultural anthropology and political science: How are they related?
  • Identify and review two most important organizations when it comes to advancing anthropology.
  • Peru’s Quechua people.
  • Contemporary policy and environmental anthropology.
  • What influences human social patterns?
  • A review of the impact of western culture on indigenous people in North America.
  • Analyzing the caste systems and ranking in societies.
  • A review of ancient Roman culture.
  • The evolution of the human ear.
  • Comparing the evolution of man to the evolution of birds.
  • What is the origin of modern humans?
  • A closer look at the main issues in female circumcision.

Biological Anthropology Research Paper Topics

  • Exploring the meaning of biological anthropology and its application in different fields.
  • Analyzing how primatologists use primates to understand human evolution.
  • How paleontologists use fossil records for anthropological comparisons.
  • Biological anthropology: How does it explain human behavior development?
  • Identify and review top geographical locations where anthropologists do their work: Why are these locations so important?
  • Define the connection between social sciences and biological anthropology.
  • The evolution of the primate diet.
  • Analyzing the evolution of tapetum lucidum.
  • A closer look at the extinction of giant lemurs in Madagascar.
  • Human resistance to drugs: Human pathogen coevolution.
  • How to determine the age of an animal using its bones.
  • How does syphilis impact bones?
  • Poaching and habitat destruction.
  • The application of natural selection in the animal kingdom.

Good Cultural Anthropology Research Paper Topics

  • Religious beliefs in the Asian cultures.
  • Comparing religious beliefs in African and Aboriginal cultures.
  • A review of the key cultural concepts in a culture of choice in Europe.
  • Comparing the idea of worldview from the perspectives of two societies.
  • Marriage in a traditional society of your choice.
  • A review of early development of economic organizations.
  • The role of women in Indian society.
  • A closer look at the process of language acquisition in African culture.
  • Missionary and anthropology: What is the relationship?
  • What strategies would you propose to minimize ethnocentrism?
  • How can society minimize the notion of cultural baggage?
  • Culture shock: Insights on how to address it.
  • Belief in magic in different societies.
  • A review of the impacts of globalization on nutritional anthropology.

Anthropological Research Questions

  • Should anthropology be merged fully with biology?
  • Is DNA evidence accurate in criminology applications?
  • How does the practice of anthropology application in China compare to that of the US?
  • Use of radiological tools in anthropology: What is their level of effectiveness?
  • What are the main hazards and risks of forensic anthropology?
  • What effect do mythologies have in modern society?
  • How does language acquisition impact the culture of a society?
  • Body project change projects: What are the valued attributes?
  • Halloween celebrations: How have they evolved over the years?
  • What are the impacts of adaptive mutation?
  • How did WWI and WWII impact human societies?
  • What are the impacts of climate change on animal evolution?
  • Location of crime: What can you learn about it?
  • What are the impacts of long-term alcohol addiction on the human body?
  • Magic and science: Are they related?

Easy Anthropological Ideas

  • Development of anthropology in the 21st century.
  • Important lessons about humans that can be drawn from anthropological studies.
  • Anthropological issues in pre-capitalist societies.
  • A closer look at folk roles and primitive society.
  • Urban centers and modern man.
  • How is automation impacting human behavior?
  • How does biology impact human culture?
  • Reviewing racial identity and stereotypes in society.
  • Comparing ancient Aztec to Maya civilizations.
  • Analyzing religious diversity in the United States.
  • Comparing religious diversity in the UK and Italy.
  • Why is studying anthropology important?
  • Comparing different death rituals in different cultures on the globe.
  • What is the relationship between literature and human development?
  • Analyzing the influence of anthropology on modern art.
  • How has social media impacted different cultures on the globe?

Linguistic Anthropology Research Topics

  • What led to the emergence of linguistics anthropology?
  • A review of the main theories in linguistic anthropology.
  • Linguistics used by different communities in the same nation.
  • Comparing sign and verbal communication.
  • How did Dell Hymes contribute to linguistic anthropology?
  • Language is the most important component among Bengal immigrants.
  • Language endangerment: What is it?
  • Comparing different categories of arts from an anthropological context for an Asian and Western country.
  • The impact of colonization on the language of a specific society of your choice.
  • Explore three different indigenous languages in America.

Controversial Anthropology Topics

  • Social anthropology is not worth studying because it is very general.
  • Human societies are cultural constructs.
  • The past should be considered a foreign nation.
  • What are your views of petro behavior in chimps?
  • Man is natural killer
  • Infant killing is an important evolutionary strategy.
  • The war on infanticides: Which side do you support?
  • Evaluating the concept of human morality.
  • Should all the political leaders be required to undertake training in cultural anthropology?
  • Human cleansing: Evaluating the driving factors in different societies.
  • Analyzing the concept of political correctness in the 21st century.
  • What are the earliest life forms to exist on the planet?

Medical Anthropology Research Topics List

  • Comparing and contrasting physical and medical anthropology studies.
  • Do we have evidence of evolution over the last 2000 years?
  • Exploring the importance of anthropology in modern medicine.
  • The health implications of adapting to ecology.
  • Domestic health culture practices in two societies of choice.
  • A review of clinical anthropology applications.
  • Political ecology of infectious diseases.
  • What is the relationship between violence, diseases and malnutrition?
  • The economic aspect of political health in a country of choice.
  • Perception of risk, vulnerability and illnesses: A case study of the United States.
  • What are the main factors that drive good nutrition and health transition?
  • The adoption of preventive health practices in society.
  • Important cultural conditions that help shape medical practices.
  • Comparing the medical practices during the colonial and post-colonial eras in a county of choice.
  • Use of mitochondria in forensic and anthropology.
  • Commercialization of health and medicine: What are the implications in society?
  • Analyzing health disparity in a society of your choice.

Current Topics In Anthropology

  • Using anthropology studies to determine the impact of political systems on different societies.
  • Human rights of people who are convicted of crimes.
  • What are the most important organizations when studying anthropology?
  • A closer look at the dialect of a modern feminist.
  • A study of current queer life in Germany.
  • Implications of Barack Obama as the African American President.
  • Reviewing the Pagan rituals and their impacts.
  • Comparing aging in the west and growing old in the African setting.
  • Cultural implications of deviant behavior in society.
  • The new concept of childhood in the emerging economies.

Physical Anthropology Research Topics

  • What does genetic hitchhiking mean?
  • Analyzing the cephalization process.
  • What is adaptive mutation?
  • Altruism: Is it learnt or a natural trait?
  • What is abiogenesis in human development?
  • A study of Australian marsupial’s convergent evolution.
  • Comparing stability of animals in stability and those in the wild.
  • Evolution of different animals in different parts of the globe. What drives the differences?
  • A review of physical anthropology trends.
  • The future evolution of human beings.
  • Physical anthropology: The human and digital culture.
  • What really makes people human?

Special Anthropology Topics to Write About

  • Enlightenment and Victorian Anthropological Theory.
  • Race and ethnicity: The anthropologist’s viewpoint.
  • A closer look at reciprocity in the native aboriginal communities in Australia.
  • What is the relationship between Neanderthal and modern humans?
  • Cultural anthropology versus sociology.
  • Anthropology of Mormonism.
  • What is the biggest change since WWI?
  • What is reflexive anthropology?
  • What is the main purpose of rituals in society?
  • Comparing rituals around childbirth in Asia.
  • Evaluating the connection between religion and myths in different societies.
  • Comparing the 20th and 21st century’s method of collecting anthropological data.
  • Why is medical anthropology so important today?
  • The importance of Benin artifacts in the history of the world.
  • The sociology theory: A review of its structure and shortcomings.
  • Christian believes in anthropology.
  • Comparing Anthropology of Europe to Anthropology of Africa.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of reflexivity use in ethnographic studies.

Forensic Anthropology Paper Topics

  • What are the primary agents that cause biological changes in the human body?
  • Are the biological change agents in a human being similar to those of other animals?
  • Assessing the accuracy of carbon dating technology.
  • Analyzing the latest improvements in crime detection technology.
  • Analyzing evidence that supports evolution views of human beings.
  • How does radioactivity impact different animals?
  • The main signs of asphyxiation.
  • A review of the latest archaeological dating methods: Are they effective?
  • Mummification: How effective was the process as applied in Egypt?
  • Importance of crime scenes in forensic anthropology.
  • Analyzing the effectiveness of Buccal Swabs when profiling insides of cheeks.
  • Criminal profiling: How effective is it in deterring a criminal’s traits?
  • Footprint in the crime scene: What can they tell you?
  • Soil comparison in forensic anthropology.
  • Insect as important agents of body decomposition.
  • How do you identify blunt force trauma?
  • Comparing and contrasting penetrating and perforating trauma.
  • Analyzing the Rigor Mortis method of establishing a person’s death.

Use Online Help To Prepare Exceptional Papers

This post has demonstrated how you should go about preparing a quality anthropology paper. However, many still find it challenging to prepare even after selecting interesting anthropology research topics. Well, there is no need to worry because you can use experts in research paper and dissertation writers. Using our resources when you buy dissertation with us, you will get exceptional results.

Our custom writers are highly educated and ready to help you prepare every research paper in anthropology, and any other topics and services, even dissertation formatting services . Even at the high level of studies, such as graduate, undergraduate, or masters, our online writers can also help. All you need is to visit our site and tell us to “write my thesis” to get the task done. Again, we have very responsive customer support, our services are cheap, and we can complete even papers with tight deadlines fast.

Educational Research Topics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comment * Error message

Name * Error message

Email * Error message

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

As Putin continues killing civilians, bombing kindergartens, and threatening WWIII, Ukraine fights for the world's peaceful future.

Ukraine Live Updates

StatAnalytica

Top 300 Anthropology Research Topics

Anthropology research Topics

Welcome to a fascinating world of anthropology. DIve into our curated compilation of 300 engaging anthropology research topics that uncover the diversity of human societies and cultures. These topics span a wide range of fascinating subjects, from how people live and communicate to the ways they shape their communities and beliefs.

Explore cultural traditions across the globe, investigate the roots of human evolution, or solve the complexities of language and identity. Whether you’re mesmerized by ancient civilizations, modern urban societies, or the impact of technology on cultures, you’ll find thought-provoking ideas to spark your curiosity and inspire insightful exploration.

From examining social behaviors to understanding environmental adaptations, these research topics offer a doorway to understanding the rich diversity of humanity. Join us on this journey through anthropology’s vast kingdoms, where each topic invites you to solve the complexities of human existence, one subject at a time.

What Is Anthropology ?

Table of Contents

Anthropology is the study of humans’ origins, societies, cultures, behaviors, and physical variations across time and space. It emphasizes understanding the diversity of human experiences and how societies function. Anthropologists explore various aspects of human life, from biological and evolutionary perspectives to cultural and social dimensions.

There are four primary subfields in anthropology:

  • Cultural Anthropology: Focuses on understanding contemporary societies, cultures, customs, and practices.
  • Archaeology: Studies past human societies and cultures by examining material remains, artifacts, and structures.
  • Biological/Physical Anthropology: Investigates human biology, evolution, genetics, and primatology.
  • Linguistic Anthropology: Explores the role of language in societies, communication, and cultural expression.

Anthropologists use diverse methods, including ethnography (participant observation), interviews, archaeological excavations, biological analyses, and linguistic studies, to uncover insights into human societies, their histories, and how they evolve over time.

Here we have compiled 300 research topics under different categories. From how languages evolve to what ancient artifacts tell us, these topics are like treasure maps guiding us to discover the wonders of human life. Ready to dive into stories of our past, present, and future? Let us start.

Top 15 Topics On Biological Anthropology Research Areas

  • Human Evolutionary Genetics
  • Primate Behavior and Ecology
  • Forensic Anthropology
  • Paleoanthropology Studies
  • Human Osteology and Skeletal Biology
  • Biological Adaptations to Environments
  • Comparative Anatomy and Morphology
  • Dental Anthropology Research
  • Bioarchaeology Investigations
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Primatology and Conservation
  • Disease and Health in Past Populations
  • Population Genetics and Human Diversity
  • Evolutionary Medicine and Anthropology
  • Human Paleopathology

Top 15 Research Topics On Cultural Anthropology Research Topics

  • Rituals and Symbolism in Culture
  • Cultural Identity and Globalization
  • Ethnographic Studies of Communities
  • Gender Roles and Cultural Practices
  • Material Culture and Society
  • Language and Culture Interactions
  • Folklore and Oral Traditions
  • Cultural Heritage Preservation
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • Culture and Power Dynamics
  • Urban Anthropology and City Life
  • Cultural Diversity and Social Change
  • Ethical Dilemmas in Fieldwork
  • Diaspora Communities and Identity
  • Religion and Cultural Practices

Top 15 Research Topics On Archaeological Anthropology Investigations

  • Archaeogenetics and Human Origins
  • Settlement Patterns and Urbanization
  • Environmental Archaeology
  • Ancient Technologies and Innovations
  • Archaeological Excavation Techniques
  • Paleoecology and Human Adaptations
  • Cultural Transmission in Archaeology
  • Dating Methods in Archaeological Studies
  • Maritime and Underwater Archaeology
  • Landscape Archaeology Approaches
  • Cultural Heritage Management
  • Rock Art and Symbolism
  • Archaeology of Death and Burial Practices
  • Archaeology and Climate Change
  • Site Preservation and Conservation

Top 15 Research Topics On Linguistic Anthropology Studies

  • Language Acquisition and Development
  • Sociolinguistics and Cultural Variation
  • Language Revitalization Efforts
  • Language and Identity Formation
  • Ethnolinguistics and Cultural Contexts
  • Historical Linguistics and Evolution of Languages
  • Linguistic Relativity and Thought Patterns
  • Multilingualism and Society
  • Dialectology and Regional Variations
  • Language Endangerment and Preservation
  • Language Contact and Creole Formation
  • Anthropological Approaches to Verbal Art
  • Pragmatics and Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Language and Power Dynamics
  • Ethnography of Communication

Top 15 Research Topics On Medical Anthropology Focus Areas

  • Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Health and Illness
  • Traditional Healing Practices
  • Biocultural Aspects of Disease
  • Global Health and Healthcare Systems
  • Medical Pluralism and Integration
  • Mental Health and Cultural Perceptions
  • Ethnomedicine and Herbal Remedies
  • Health Disparities and Social Determinants
  • Healing Rituals and Symbolism
  • Maternal and Child Health in Cultures
  • Anthropology of Infectious Diseases
  • Indigenous Knowledge in Healthcare
  • Alternative Medicine and Society
  • Medical Ethnography and Fieldwork
  • Healthcare Access and Marginalized Communities

Top 15 Anthropology Research Topics On Economic Anthropology Research

  • Market Systems and Exchange Networks
  • Economic Development and Globalization
  • Cultural Perspectives on Wealth and Value
  • Informal Economies and Subsistence Strategies
  • Gift-giving and Reciprocity in Societies
  • Economic Anthropology of Gender
  • Economic Anthropology of Labor and Work
  • Money and Symbolism in Cultures
  • Land Tenure Systems and Property Rights
  • Resource Management and Sustainability
  • Consumption Patterns and Consumerism
  • Economic Anthropology of Entrepreneurship
  • Economic Anthropology of Food and Agriculture
  • Poverty and Inequality Studies
  • Economic Anthropology in Urban Settings

Top 15 Research Topics On Social Anthropology Themes

  • Kinship Structures and Family Dynamics
  • Social Identity Formation and Group Relations
  • Rituals and Ceremonies in Societies
  • Power Dynamics and Social Hierarchies
  • Community Studies and Social Networks
  • Gender Roles and Social Constructs
  • Ethnicity and Cultural Boundaries
  • Conflict Resolution and Peacemaking
  • Social Movements and Activism
  • Urbanization and Social Change
  • Socialization and Education Systems
  • Marginalized Communities and Social Inclusion
  • Collective Memory and Commemoration
  • Media and Society in Anthropological Contexts
  • Identity Politics and Intersectionality

Top 15 Anthropology Research Topics On Psychological Anthropology Topics

  • Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health
  • Emotions and Cultural Expression
  • Belief Systems and Psychological Well-being
  • Cross-Cultural Studies on Trauma
  • Rituals and Healing in Psychological Contexts
  • Cultural Influences on Perception and Cognition
  • Identity Formation and Psychological Processes
  • Child Rearing and Psychological Development
  • Stress and Coping Mechanisms in Cultures
  • Cultural Variations in Personality
  • Spirituality and Psychological Resilience
  • Psychopathology and Cultural Interpretations
  • Cultural Constructions of Happiness
  • Intergenerational Transmission of Psychological Traits
  • Culture, Mind, and Brain Interaction

Top 15 Research Topics On Evolutionary Anthropology Exploration

  • Human Evolutionary Genetics and Adaptations
  • Evolutionary Perspectives on Social Behavior
  • Evolution of Human Communication
  • Cultural Evolution and Transmission
  • Evolutionary Medicine and Health
  • Primate Evolution and Comparative Anatomy
  • Evolution of Tool Use and Technology
  • Evolutionary Ecology and Human Adaptations
  • Evolutionary Psychology in Anthropological Context
  • Evolutionary Aspects of Human Diet
  • Co-evolution of Humans and Pathogens
  • Evolution of Human Brain and Cognition
  • Biocultural Evolution and Society
  • Paleolithic Archaeology and Human Evolution
  • Evolutionary Anthropology and Human Biodiversity

Top 15 Research Topics On Visual Anthropology Areas of Study

  • Ethnographic Filmmaking and Storytelling
  • Visual Ethnography and Cultural Representation
  • Anthropology of Photography
  • Visual Arts and Cultural Identity
  • Media and Visual Culture in Anthropological Contexts
  • Visual Documentation of Rituals and Traditions
  • Film as Cultural Artifact in Anthropology
  • Ethnographic Film Festivals and Discourse
  • Visual Anthropology and Indigenous Perspectives
  • Ethical Considerations in Visual Representation
  • Digital Visual Anthropology
  • Visual Media and Social Change
  • Visual Methodologies in Anthropological Research
  • Visual Anthropology and Museum Practices
  • Aesthetics and Meaning in Visual Anthropology

Top 15 Anthropology Research Topics On Urban Anthropology Research

  • Urban Spaces and Everyday Life
  • Urban Diversity and Multiculturalism
  • Gentrification and Urban Dynamics
  • Urban Poverty and Marginalized Communities
  • Urban Development and Planning
  • Urban Social Networks and Relationships
  • Anthropology of Urban Public Spaces
  • Informal Economies in Urban Contexts
  • Cultural Diversity in Urban Neighborhoods
  • Urban Health and Well-being
  • Technology and Urban Anthropology
  • Urban Youth Cultures and Identities
  • Migration and Urban Settlements
  • Urban Governance and Citizenship

Top 15 Research Topics On Environmental Anthropology Issues

  • Human-Environment Interactions in Indigenous Societies
  • Climate Change and Cultural Adaptations
  • Environmental Conservation and Indigenous Knowledge
  • Political Ecology and Resource Management
  • Ethnobotany and Traditional Ecological Knowledge
  • Environmental Justice and Marginalized Communities
  • Anthropogenic Impact on Ecosystems
  • Sacred Landscapes and Cultural Preservation
  • Environmental Displacement and Resettlement
  • Sustainable Development and Local Communities
  • Ecological Anthropology and Biodiversity Loss
  • Water and Sanitation in Cultural Contexts
  • Anthropology of Natural Disasters
  • Land Use and Cultural Perspectives
  • Ethical Considerations in Environmental Research

Top 15 Research Topics On Applied Anthropology Focus Topics

  • Applied Anthropology in Healthcare Settings
  • Anthropology in Community Development Projects
  • Cultural Competence in Social Work
  • Anthropological Approaches to Environmental Conservation
  • Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief
  • Cultural Consultancy in Business and Industry
  • Forensic Anthropology and Crime Investigations
  • Ethnographic Evaluation in Public Policy
  • Anthropology in Education and Curriculum Development
  • Participatory Research Methods in Applied Anthropology
  • Urban Planning and Community Engagement
  • Cultural Heritage Management and Tourism
  • Applied Anthropology in Conflict Resolution
  • Technology and Innovation in Applied Anthropology
  • Anthropology in Global Health Initiatives

Top 15 Anthropology Research Topics On Gender and Sexuality in Anthropology

  • Gender Roles and Social Norms
  • Gender Identity and Cultural Constructs
  • Sexuality and Cultural Expression
  • LGBTQ+ Communities and Identity Politics
  • Feminist Anthropology and Theory
  • Masculinity Studies in Cultural Contexts
  • Gender-Based Violence and Cultural Responses
  • Intersectionality and Gender in Anthropology
  • Gender and Power Dynamics
  • Reproductive Health and Cultural Perspectives
  • Sexuality Education and Cultural Variations
  • Gendered Spaces and Social Hierarchies
  • Gender and Economic Empowerment
  • Ethnographic Studies on Gender Diversity
  • Indigenous Perspectives on Gender and Sexuality

Top 15 Research Topics On Indigenous Peoples and Ethnography

  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Preservation
  • Ethnography of Indigenous Communities
  • Indigenous Rights and Land Ownership
  • Oral Traditions and Cultural Transmission
  • Indigenous Health and Traditional Medicine
  • Rituals and Ceremonies in Indigenous Cultures
  • Indigenous Languages and Linguistic Diversity
  • Indigenous Governance and Political Structures
  • Environmental Ethics in Indigenous Societies
  • Indigenous Education and Cultural Revitalization
  • Indigenous Women’s Roles and Empowerment
  • Cultural Heritage and Indigenous Identity
  • Indigenous Activism and Social Movements
  • Indigenous Art and Cultural Expression
  • Resilience and Challenges in Indigenous Communities

Top 15 Anthropology Research Topics On Anthropology of Religion Studies

  • Rituals and Symbolism in Religious Practices
  • Sacred Spaces and Pilgrimages
  • Religion and Power Structures
  • Religious Conversion and Adaptation
  • Shamanism and Healing Practices
  • Mythology and Religious Narratives
  • Religious Pluralism and Coexistence
  • Ethnography of Religious Communities
  • Religion and Social Change
  • Gender Roles in Religious Contexts
  • Diasporic Religious Practices
  • Religious Syncretism and Hybridity
  • Religion and Environmental Ethics
  • Supernatural Beliefs and Cosmology
  • Ritualistic Performance and Symbolic Acts

Top 15 Research Topics On Migration and Diaspora Anthropology

  • Identity Formation in Transnational Contexts
  • Cultural Adaptation and Integration of Migrants
  • Anthropology of Forced Migration
  • Transnationalism and Global Diasporas
  • Refugee Resettlement and Integration
  • Gender Dynamics in Migration
  • Remittances and Economic Impacts
  • Homeland Connections and Diasporic Identities
  • Social Networks and Support Systems in Diasporas
  • Xenophobia and Discrimination Against Migrants
  • Politics of Borders and Migration Policies
  • Diasporic Cultural Practices and Traditions
  • Second-Generation Diaspora Identities
  • Urbanization and Diaspora Communities
  • Diaspora Engagement in Home Countries

Top 15 Anthropology Research Topics On Anthropology of Power and Politics

  • Political Rituals and Symbolism
  • Power Dynamics in Social Hierarchies
  • Political Economy and Social Inequality
  • Political Authority and Legitimacy
  • Political Activism and Social Movements
  • Political Representation and Marginalized Groups
  • Ethnography of Governance Systems
  • Political Discourse and Media Influence
  • Political Violence and Conflict Resolution
  • Political Participation and Civic Engagement
  • Power Structures in Indigenous Societies
  • Politics of Memory and Commemoration
  • Anthropology of State Formation
  • Political Agency and Identity Politics

Top 15 Research Topics On Technology and Anthropological Studies

  • Digital Cultures and Virtual Communities
  • Ethnography of Online Spaces
  • Technological Adaptations in Traditional Societies
  • Surveillance and Privacy in Technological Contexts
  • Anthropology of Artificial Intelligence
  • Technological Innovations and Social Change
  • Ethical Implications of Technology Integration
  • Mobile Technology and Global Connectivity
  • Cultural Perspectives on Robotics and Automation
  • Anthropology of Wearable Technology
  • Social Media and Identity Construction
  • Technological Impact on Cultural Heritage Preservation
  • Access to Technology in Marginalized Communities
  • Cybersecurity and Cultural Perceptions
  • Anthropology of Emerging Technologies

Top 15 Research Topics On Globalization and Anthropology Research Areas

  • Transnationalism and Identity Formation
  • Global Flows of Culture and Commodities
  • Globalization and Indigenous Peoples
  • Migration and Diaspora Studies
  • Global Health and Medical Practices
  • Globalization’s Impact on Language and Communication
  • Cultural Hybridity in Globalized Contexts
  • Globalization and Environmental Anthropology
  • Global Economic Networks and Labor Mobility
  • Cultural Imperialism and Resistance
  • Globalization and Urban Anthropology
  • Globalization’s Influence on Food Systems
  • Technology and Global Cultural Exchange
  • Globalization and Social Movements
  • Globalization and Ethical Dilemmas

In wrapping up our big list of 300 anthropology research topics, remember, anthropology’s like a treasure chest filled with amazing things to explore. These topics offer a map to understanding people, cultures, and societies. They’re keys that unlock doors to ancient times, different beliefs, and how our world works today. 

Pick a topic that sparks your curiosity, dive in, and discover fascinating insights about humans and our diverse ways of living. Let these topics guide you on an adventure of understanding, questioning, and learning. So, grab your curiosity, pick a topic, and explore the exciting world of anthropology.

Related Posts

best way to finance car

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

how to get fund for business

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

logo

140 Best Anthropology Research Topics to Focus On

Table of Contents

Would you have to submit a research paper on the anthropology concept? Currently, are you searching for the best anthropology research topics for your final assignment? If yes, then you are at the right spot. We know how challenging it would be to search and find anthropology research paper topics. Therefore, for your convenience, here, in this blog we have shared a list of 100+ impressive anthropology research ideas worthy of fetching top grades. Explore the entire list and select any topic that is interesting to you.

What is Anthropology?

Anthropology is the scientific study of humans, their evolutionary history, behavior, and the ways humans communicate and socialize with each other. The study is mainly concerned with both the physiological and biological features along with the social aspects of humans which include language, family, culture, politics, and religion.

Anthropology Research Topics

List of Anthropology Research Paper Topics

In this section, we have presented a list of 100+ outstanding anthropology research topic ideas in various areas such as cultural, ethnographic, medical, physical, and biological anthropology. Go through the list carefully and choose any persuasive idea that matches your university’s research paper writing guidelines.

Cultural Anthropology Research Topics

  • Conduct an in-depth analysis of the philosophy of two societies of your choice.
  • The significance of cultural diversity in the study of human evolution in anthropology
  • How are burial practices interwoven with religion and myth?
  • The meaning of cultural baggage and the ways to address the concept of cultural invasion
  • A forensic overview of the concept of family, fraternity, and gangs
  • The concept of ancestors in Native American countries and Africa
  • Music, dance, and parties in the contemporary society
  • The concept of social status in any African community
  • The emergence and influence of culture on tourism
  • Feminism in patriarchal societies
  • How does migration promote cultural diversity?
  • The evolving roles of women in Asian countries
  • Assess the structure of family and marriage in two countries of your choice
  • A criticism and distinction of anthropology and art
  • The role of literature in spreading libertarian ideas.
  • Role of women in Islamic societies
  • Analyze how the spread of K-pop had influenced Western culture
  • The impact of terrorism on Islamophobia
  • Describe the influence of language on culture
  • Hindu culture versus Islamic culture
  • How to minimize Ethnocentrism?
  • What is Culture shock?
  • Analyze the culture of Australian Aboriginals
  • Monoculturalism and Ethnocentrism
  • Describe the culture of Ancient Egypt

Anthropology Research Topics

Ethnographic Anthropology Research Topics

  • The role of clinical science in the pharmaceutical science of rural communities
  • The role of Ethnography and its studies in psychology
  • The function of Ethnography in software technology
  • Why abortion is considered the first resort for sexually assaulted and domestically violated victims?
  • How does music and interpersonal relationship improve cognitive behavior?
  • How teachers can adopt the findings of Ethnography in classroom learning?
  • An ethnographic study on the inclusiveness of health care and public access to it
  • How ethnography and its studies could help people with learning disabilities?
  • The ethnographic study of a group of domestically violated victims and how they respond to the violation
  • How has the value of education improved through ethnographic discoveries?
  • The effects of smart homes and privacy in communal Ethnographic studies
  • Use ethnographic information to assess intensive public healthcare.
  • An expository study on the role of psychologists in advancing special education
  • Examine the state of theories of racism
  • How do traditional health beliefs and myths affect contemporary society’s development?
  • Conduct a study on the beliefs of Japanese students while they learn English
  • An ethnographic overview of patient handover in European health care
  • Examine the boundaries of citizens’ involvement in intensive healthcare.
  • Evaluate how journalists cope with stress.
  • The status of spiritual healing through systems of pilgrimage therapy.
  • The ethnographic study of why has it been easier to use religion for influencing people to join terrorist groups?
  • How do stereotypical concepts relate to sexual orientation impact the mental health of children?
  • How are stereotypical concepts related to mental health affecting doctors?
  • Conduct a study to understand why women have been called their worst enemy.
  • Conduct a study to highlight whether “Shariah” is beneficial for Islamic societies or not.

Medical Anthropology Research Ideas

  • The role of ethnobotany in medical sciences
  • Assess the residue of why societal infamy is linked to HIV/AIDS.
  • An assessment of women’s sexuality and how culture affects sexual health
  • What is transcultural nursing?
  • How do nursing ethics become pragmatic in the career of professionals?
  • The complications in the treatment of periodontal disease
  • Assess the connection of income to health.
  • A study on the status of cancer after the Chornobyl nuclear disaster in Russia
  • Explain big pharma and the complications of watchdogs and whistle-blowers.
  • Examine the environmental health disaster of two countries of your choice.
  • Analyze how the Bhopal gas incident in India is still impacting societies in the specific state.
  • Describe how nurses have played a role in helping elder patients cope with stress and other address factors as a result of growing age.
  • Discuss the impact of AIDS on Central African societies
  • Consequences of the traumas of war on families in Sri Lanka and Guatemala
  • Risks associated with In Vitro Fertilisation

Read more: Best Medical Research Topics To Analyze and Write About

Physical Anthropology Research Topics

  • The advantages and consequences of eugenics in today’s society
  • Analyze five pieces of literature on the stages of drowning till death.
  • Aging in Asian countries and what it means for them
  • Analyze the physical concept of re-adjusting newborn babies by nursing mothers.
  • What is the underlying Egyptian belief in preserving the dead?
  • Have Western ideas of superiority affected the acknowledgment of Egypt as the cradle of civilization?
  • The origin of man in different societies of civilization
  • What are the contemporary facts that support past research and experiences of Homo habilis?
  • Examine the influence of the environment on skin color.
  • What are the consequences of smoking on human physical appearance?

Biology Anthropology Research Paper Topics

  • The origin spread, and transgenerational impact of any endemic in any society of your choice
  • Analyze the possibilities of traditional institutions in preserving cultures.
  • How maladaptation affects migrants in any country of your choice.
  • Analyze the concept of vulnerability and risk in public health care.
  • The relationship and comparison between malnutrition, violence, and chronic disease in any society of your choice
  • How do social relationships affect nutritional choices and human healthy living?
  • The clinical interactions in any social association of your choice
  • The challenges of a developing nation in public access to healthcare services
  • How do pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies shape contemporary medicine?
  • The commercialization and commodification of medicine and healthcare in contemporary society .
  • Comparing bones of bipeds and quadrupeds
  • Harry Harlow and his experiments on monkey bonding
  • Why do the Stanford Prison Experiment and the Brown-Eyed vs. Blue-Eyed Student Experiments are considered the two most controversial experiments?
  • Why does Zimbardo’s simulated prison experiment is considered one of the most controversial experiments?
  • Analyze the results derived from The Robbers Cave Experiment
  • Discuss the controversy around The Monkey Drug Trial in 1969

Read more: Top 175 Biology Research Topics for Academic Writing

Captivating Anthropology Research Topics

  • The influence of environmental anthropology on medicine
  • The role of Folklore in the defense and transgenerational retainment of Cultures
  • A review of the latest archaeological dating methods
  • How accurate is DNA evidence in matching and testing criminology?
  • A critical assessment of radioactive carbon dating accuracy
  • Recent improvements in crime detection
  • A detailed analysis of language classification
  • The factors that promote cultural hatred in a diverse society
  • The important changes in theories behind linguistic anthropology
  • Explore the use of fossil records in paleoanthropology.
  • Protective and risk dimensions of cultural norms, human behavior, and social institutions
  • The Role of TV reality shows in the Social Life
  • The influence of cross-cultural experiences in the modern world
  • How does the internet promote Westernization?
  • The connection of political science with cultural anthropology
  • The political ecology of vector-borne and infectious diseases
  • Physical anthropology essentials
  • What is language endangerment?
  • The link between cultural anthropology and political science
  • Explain the existence of racism in modern times.
  • Critical analysis of the Evolutionary theory in anthropology
  • Use case studies related to altered states of consciousness to explain the study of transpersonal anthropology
  • The Art of Disturbance: Transactions in the Mexico-United States Border Scenario
  • Discuss the connections between feminism, technology, and postmodernism

Interesting Anthropology Research Topics

  • The contemporary psychology of traveling between teenagers and their parents
  • The cultural constructions of human society and how they aid evolution
  • A criticism of the monarchy in European politics over Western democracy
  • The influence of the Roman Catholic Church as the center of government, religion, art, and social life
  • The concepts of the American culture of consumerism and the Scandinavian culture of minimalism
  • A detailed overview of how the Roman Catholic Church improved the science of sculpting and architecture
  • The significance of women in ancient Egypt
  • The evolving ideas about matrimony in Asia
  • The benefits and consequences of eugenics in today’s world
  • The process of aging and how it exacerbates fear of old age
  • The disparity in healthcare accessibility in any developing country
  • Examine the greeting gestures in American and Chinese societies.
  • The significance of the Greek culture on Italian languages and culture
  • The development of rock music and its connection to Native American tribes.

Informative Anthropology Research Paper Topics

  • Write about the risks of using artificial intelligence in forensics.
  • How can ethnobotany and its principles be applied in medicine?
  • Describe the role of language in the development of
  • Explain the role of DNA databases in searching for criminals.
  • Analyze the Marriage traditions of different cultures.
  • Tracking the behavior of twins over time.
  • Explain the impact of TikTok on European culture
  • Discuss the effectiveness of alternative medicine in the United States;
  • Explain the origins and generational impacts of Minamata disease.
  • How the dead were preserved in ancient Egypt?

Out of the various ideas mentioned in this blog post, pick any ideal anthropology topic suitable for conducting research. Here we have shared only a few impressive research topics. If you want more unique anthropology research project ideas, then immediately reach out to us.

anthropology research paper ideas

Related Post

Spell for Students and Adults

110 Hard Words to Spell for Students and Adults

Avoid Passive Voice

Learn How to Avoid Passive Voice in 3 Simple Steps

Greek Mythology Essay Topic

117 Best Greek Mythology Essay Topics For Students

About author.

' src=

Jacob Smith

I am an Academic Writer and have affection to share my knowledge through posts’. I do not feel tiredness while research and analyzing the things. Sometime, I write down hundred of research topics as per the students requirements. I want to share solution oriented content to the students.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Featured Posts

140 Unique Geology Research Topics to Focus On

200+ outstanding world history topics and ideas 2023, 190 excellent ap research topics and ideas, 150+ trending group discussion topics and ideas, 170 funny speech topics to blow the minds of audience, who invented exams learn the history of examination, how to focus on reading 15 effective tips for better concentration, what is a rhetorical analysis essay and how to write it, primary school teacher in australia- eligibility, job role, career options, and salary, 4 steps to build a flawless business letter format, get help instantly.

Raise Your Grades with Assignment Help Pro

logo

Anthropology Research Topics: 100+ Ideas

Anthropology Research Topics

Do you want to frame an anthropology research paper that helps you stand out from the crowd? If this is the case, don’t worry because we have you covered. However, before jumping straight to the writing part, the first step is to select a great anthropology research topic.

A majority of students consider this step to be the most daunting. Choosing a topic and researching it can take time and effort. It requires a broad range of skills. However, since it is an academic compulsion, you must recognize it for a short time. Why not give this your most passionate shot once and for all and fully indulge in it once and all?

Don’t be afraid, as we’re here to navigate you through an enticing list of 100+ research topics in anthropology. These topics will help you frame the outstanding research paper you have always wanted. You can choose these topics as they are or tweak them a little according to your unique requirements.

Table of Contents

Working on Anthropology Research Paper Topics

To frame an outstanding research paper on anthropological topics, the first and foremost thing is to think anthropologically. Thinking anthropologically implies suspending their preconceived notions of how the world functions and what constitutes “normal” or “abnormal.” Anthropology urges anthropologists to be “culturally relative” and to comprehend cultural diversity on their terms. Anthropology rejects ethnocentrism and recognizes divergence without placing it in a hierarchy.

When you are writing your anthropology research paper, you need to ensure the following items are on your checklist:

  • Critically analyze and evaluate cultural norms (both in your own and other cultures).
  • Conduct comprehensive research on ethnographic data (including data and descriptions of everyday events, oral histories, and significant interviews) to understand significant patterns.
  • Organize all the ethnographic or other evidence to expound on a phenomenon or event or support a hypothesis or argument.
  • Evaluate a theoretical viewpoint critically to determine how well it explains cultural occurrences.

100+ Anthropology Research Paper Topics

There are a few subjects that intrigue the majority of students. These are anthropology, psychology, mythology, sociology, and other good ethnography topics.

Drafting a research paper on anthropology comes with a wide spectrum of special subtopics. These subtopics include linguistics, biology, current events, and cultural anthropology topics to choose from. These topics are mentioned below and can help inspire fascinating research and writing about humans and their evolution.

Read Also – Top 100 Position Paper Topics

Top 20 Topics in Anthropology

If you’re looking for the most researched anthropology topics for research papers that most readers will find interesting, you’ve come to the right place. Look at the following anthropological topics and choose one that suits your requirements best:

  • Global forensic anthropology and forensic pathology
  • Evolutionary theory in anthropology
  • Aging cultures and perceptions
  • Anthropology: an introduction to anthropology beyond humanity
  • Women in Lakota Sioux culture
  • Peru’s Quechua people: a living Andean culture
  • The evolution of Islamic terrorism
  • The advantages and disadvantages of eugenics
  • Western civilization: aging and identity
  • The cultural anthropology of time: an applied perspective
  • Aging and kyphosis: a narrative review
  • Theories about the evolutionary origins of humans
  • The Hijra of India: effects of colonization and globalization
  • Mass globalization
  • Unimagined communities: sex, networks, and AIDS in Uganda
  • The long history of gender roles in medicine
  • Developmental anthropology
  • Climate change and global health: anthropology and beyond
  • Eugenics in the 21st century
  • Living in closed societies: ethical and political issues

Read Also – Interesting biology research topics

Biology and Anthropology Topics for Research

Biological anthropologists investigate, document, and explain the evolution of morphological variations among humankind through time in the historical record. They also provide a comparative perspective on the uniqueness of the human race compared to other living primates. It is a very popular subject for students. Thus, if you’re keen to research more about such factors, then consider these biological anthropology topics that will help you get started with a specific mindset for writing:

  • The history of biological anthropology: understanding the natural history of humankind
  • A handbook on paleoanthropology: the history of our tribes
  • Minimizing the risk of maladaptation: a developmental perspective
  • Understanding the current stage of paleoanthropology in the USSR
  • Biological anthropology with other allied fields of science
  • How biological anthropology explains the genesis of human behaviour and social structures
  • Applying biological anthropology to interpret human evolution
  • How do the biotech and pharmaceutical industries influence modern medicine?
  • Biological anthropology and aging

Controversial Anthropology Topics for Research

Writing and researching controversial topics is always the cherry on the cake. You can easily expound on these topics by corroborating a huge spectrum of data and resources. Thus, instead of choosing drudgery research topics in anthropology, give another penny for your thoughts and choose controversial topics. Topic ideas relating to controversial topics are here.

  • Ancient Egyptian civilization: the culture of life and death
  • Validation of social anthropology
  • The ethnographic paradigms
  • The war on infanticide has a global scope and magnitude.
  • Cultural construction or anthropology: theory and empirical evidence
  • The criticism of the European monarchy over western democracy
  • The relationship between social anthropology and allied disciplines
  • Hidden voices: Unveiling women in Ancient Egypt
  • Understanding Italian culture: Greek culture’s influence on Italian languages and culture
  • The origins and natural history of human morality
  • Analyzing male aggression against women from an evolutionary perspective
  • Understanding personality, cognition, and behavioural changes in chimpanzees
  • Infanticide as an evolutionary strategy: reality or myth?
  • The myth of man as a natural hunter
  • Analyzing the dart and the Seville statement on war
  • The history of Samoan sexual conduct and the Mead-Freeman controversy
  • Menopause: adaptation or epiphenomenon?
  • Who owns the past?
  • The repatriation of anthropology

Read Also – 295 Sociology Research Topics

Cultural Anthropology Research Topics

Cultural anthropology is the branch of anthropology that studies human societies, patterns, cultures, and developments. Some of the contentious cultural anthropology topics are given below:

  • Cultural anthropology and linguistics
  • The evolution of sexism: a critical analysis of past problems and future possibilities
  • The flourishing of libertarian literary writings
  • The history of women’s struggles
  • Cultural anthropology and psychiatry
  • The development of sociology and social anthropology
  • Fundamental religious principles govern child forced marriages in northern Nigeria.
  • The battle of African women for equality
  • Patriarchy and the representation of women in Asian nations
  • Green and Roman mythology: a comparative analysis
  • African traditional beliefs and spirituality in Africa
  • Cultural violence and the Nigerian woman: a narrative review
  • The ultimate journey of widow-burning in India
  • Exploring cultural spaces and technologies in contemporary societies
  • The biological myth of human evolution: a phylogenetic approach
  • Erasing culture and race: practising “self-determination.”
  • The American Holocaust: Columbus and the Conquest of the New World
  • The 16th and 17th-century philosophy of India
  • Understanding Mexican culture from a religious point of view
  • Migration and cultural diversity
  • The native American ancestry of African-Americans
  • Muslim women and forced marriages
  • A theoretical analysis of culture clashes in American anthropology
  • Anthropology of religion
  • Christendom’s worlds and Christianity’s future

Physical Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Physical anthropology is the study of human origins, evolution, and diversity. If you’re interested in researching and writing about physical anthropology, then here are some interesting topic suggestions that you can consider:

  • Genotype-environment correlation study: an overview
  • The evolution of human beings
  • Genetic hitchhiking: the controversy and its implications
  • The altruistic personality: the heritability of individual differences
  • The cephalization process
  • Amazonian Anthropology: Henry Walter Bates
  • Homo sapiens and early human migration
  • The evolution of human history and the first man
  • The ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs
  • The issues and challenges of aging in Asia
  • Influence of environmental factors on skin tone
  • Examine five literary works that discuss the stages of drowning and dying.
  • Evidence of somatic acceleration from recent investigations
  • The relationship between psychological and physiological constitutions
  • A review and comparison of dissolution profiles
  • The advantages and disadvantages of eugenics in the 21st century
  • Aging across cultures: a comparative analysis
  • Genetic engineering and medical anthropology: ethics and challenges

Read Also – 100+ Compelling Linguistics Research Topics

Linguistic Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Linguistic anthropology is the branch of anthropology that studies the connection or relationship between languages and cultures. It study how people negotiate, think, compete, and reproduce cultural forms and relations through the medium of languages. If you’re interested in learning more about linguistic anthropology, here are a few suggestions for you:

  • The anatomy and physiology of speech
  • Language, Race, and Popular Culture
  • The relationship between language and culture
  • Understanding intercultural communication: a current perspective
  • Linguistics and the politics of representation
  • Representational barriers and issues in linguistic anthropology
  • Language and gender: a comprehensive research work
  • American-African women’s language: talking that talk
  • Journeys into the past: understanding different language cultures
  • Language endangerment and language revitalization: an active approach

Forensic Research Topics in Anthropology

Generally speaking, forensic anthropology studies the examination of human remains for law enforcement agencies to solve atrocious crimes. Have a look at some of these great forensic anthropology research topics:

  • Analyzing the latest perspectives on forensic anthropology
  • Criminal profiling and computer forensic processes: assumptions, challenges, and probable solutions
  • Fundamentals of forensic anthropology: current methods and practices
  • Forensic anthropology and medicine
  • Forensic anthropology and forensic pathology
  • A handbook on crime scene investigation
  • Comparison of soils in forensic anthropology: a detailed study
  • Reactive oxidants and human diseases
  • An investigation of the fundamental factors that cause biological alterations in the human body
  • A study on the recent advancements in forensic science
  • Criminal profiling: a powerful tool against criminal offences
  • Current tools and future concepts of forensic anthropology
  • Common techniques in the study of forensic anthropology
  • Progress and prospects of DNA testing procedures
  • Narratives of forensic psychology and criminal personality profiling
  • Moral issues in forensic anthropology
  • The workings of forensic anthropology: ethics and professionalism
  • accuracy of carbon dating technology
  • Asphyxiation: an autopsy study
  • Analyzing the methods of determining the time of death

Medical Anthropology Topics for Research

Interested in medical anthropology? If so, look at the below-provided research topics on anthropology.

  • Exploring medical anthropology
  • Ethno zoology: applications and principles
  • A reflection on medical anthropology
  • Medical anthropology and epidemiology
  • Medical ethno botany: applied principles and applications
  • An overview of the spread of the Ebola virus in 2014
  • Maladaptation: The effects of adaptation to ecological conditions and improper adaptation on health
  • Mapping the concepts of vulnerability, risk, and responsibility for healthcare and illness
  • Critical and clinical engagement in anthropology
  • Ethno medicine modalities in a healing process

The Bottom Line

Each option in the article can help you develop an outstanding research paper in anthropology. Anthropology is indeed a complex subject. Thus, you can also consider some good ethnography topics for your research. You need to conduct extensive research on the different sections of societies and how they have evolved over the past few years. These research paper topics are meant to inspire you and help you score high marks in your academic research programs. You can use these topics as they are or modify them accordingly.

Choose our paper help services for experts’ assistance!

' src=

By Alex Brown

I'm an ambitious, seasoned, and versatile author. I am experienced in proposing, outlining, and writing engaging assignments. Developing contagious academic work is always my top priority. I have a keen eye for detail and diligence in producing exceptional academic writing work. I work hard daily to help students with their assignments and projects. Experimenting with creative writing styles while maintaining a solid and informative voice is what I enjoy the most.

ct-logo

121+ Highly Informative Anthropology Research Topics

Anthropology is a broad field of study about human beings, and it spans various subjects that deal with the past, present, and future. Curious students, those who want to become researchers, or just learners love this subject as there are numerous fascinating things to discuss. 

This course involves everyone with an innate desire for curiosity and self-discovery in an intellectual experience. It covers topics ranging from converting the riddles of ancient civilizations to understanding the ethnicities surrounding us. 

So please go through our list of the top 121+ anthropology research topics that are informative and provide gateways to appreciating the richness of human societies, their transformation through time, and how they have profoundly affected our earth. 

What Are Anthropology Research Topics?

Table of Contents

Anthropology research topics look at different parts of human life, both past and present. These topics explore cultural traditions, social groups, languages, and biological factors that help us understand what it means to be human.

At their core, these topics invite us to be curious and question what we think we know. They let us explore the many different ways humans live and have lived worldwide, from ancient societies to modern communities. These topics allow us to see how culture, environment, and human behavior are connected.

Whether studying how languages started, how social rankings developed, or the special meanings behind rituals and objects, anthropology research topics help us unravel the many stories that make up human history. They bring together knowledge of archaeology, biology, linguistics, and cultural studies.

By investigating these topics, we learn more and gain a deeper respect for our planet’s diversity of human cultures. We learn to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of ways of life around us.

Recommended Reading: “ Top 169+ AP Seminar Research Topics – Full Guide! “.

Ethnographic Fieldwork: Immersive Research Techniques

Ethnographic fieldwork involves getting close to different groups of people. It’s like jumping into their way of life, seeing things through their eyes. Researchers don’t just read about these groups—they stay with them for a while.

This hands-on approach lets anthropologists experience a culture for themselves. They watch daily activities, participate in special events and traditions, and get to know the people. Instead of just looking in from the outside, they become a part of the community, even just a little bit.

Ethnographers use techniques like participant observation, where participants fully participate in the cultural setting. They might learn local languages, eat the same foods, and follow the same routines as the people they’re studying—it’s like walking in their shoes.

Talking to people is also important. Having open conversations with community members to understand their beliefs, values, and perspectives is crucial to building trust so people feel comfortable sharing their stories and thoughts.

Field notes capture all the rich details of daily life that outsiders often miss. From unique customs to deep, meaningful practices, these firsthand accounts paint a clear picture of the culture.

By living this immersive lifestyle, even for a while, ethnographers can truly understand what makes each community special and human. It’s an up-close look at the diversity of our world.

Top 121+ Most Informative Anthropology Research Topics

Here is the list of the top 121+ highly informative anthropology research topics; let’s look. 

Cultural Anthropology Research Topics

  • How the world becoming more connected affects traditional cultures
  • When people copy aspects of another culture without understanding its meaning
  • How men and women are expected to behave in different societies
  • Special events and ceremonies in different cultures today
  • How cities have people from many different cultures living together
  • How people see things differently depending on their culture
  • Keeping traditional knowledge alive in native communities
  • Studying immigrant communities to understand their way of life
  • How cultures mix in the age of the internet
  • How different cultures view mental health problems

Biological Anthropology Research Topics

  • Learning about human evolution through old bones
  • How people are different because of their genes and how they adapt to their environment
  • Looking at how culture and biology affect people’s health differently
  • Studying how monkeys and other non-human primates behave
  • Using old bones to solve crimes
  • Looking at how our bodies evolved to understand how to stay healthy
  • Studying how people are different based on their race or where they’re from
  • Understanding how food affects our bodies
  • How people grow and develop from babies to adults
  • Studying old bones to learn about ancient people’s lives

Forensic Anthropology Research Topics

  • Figuring out how old a person was when they died
  • Studying how bodies decay after death
  • Making faces of people from their skulls
  • Using DNA to help solve crimes
  • Finding and studying mass graves
  • Studying bugs to help solve crimes
  • Using chemicals to learn about people’s lives from their bones
  • Identifying victims of large disasters
  • Looking at the laws and what’s right or wrong in studying bones
  • Using bones to investigate human rights abuses

Linguistic Anthropology Research Topics

  • Saving languages that are disappearing
  • Looking at how people talk differently in different places
  • How people feel about themselves because of the language they speak
  • How children learn to talk
  • How language affects how people see themselves in society
  • Seeing how languages stay alive or die out
  • How people mix languages
  • Studying how people talk to each other in different cultures
  • How language shows who has power in a society
  • How language affects how people think

Medical Anthropology Research Topics

  • Looking at how different cultures deal with being sick
  • Mixing traditional and modern medicine to help people
  • Studying how people choose where to get medical help
  • Using plants to help people get better
  • Seeing how some people get good healthcare while others don’t
  • Studying how different cultures see disabilities
  • People traveling to get medical help and what it means for where they live
  • Learning about how people make babies and take care of them in different cultures
  • How people feel about getting help for their mind
  • Studying what’s right or wrong when studying people who need help

Physical Anthropology Research Topics

  • Looking at how hormones affect how we act and how our bodies work
  • Studying how our bodies move
  • Seeing how we change because of things around us
  • Learning about how people pick who they want to be with
  • How people change when they live up high
  • Studying how our genes affect how we move and do sports
  • Looking at people’s teeth to learn about how they lived
  • How diseases change and spread over time
  • Studying old bones to learn about what people ate and how healthy they were
  • Studying how our minds work and why we do things

Archaeological Anthropology Research Topics

  • Looking at where people lived and why
  • Studying how people made things in the past
  • Seeing how people changed the world around them
  • How people traded things a long time ago
  • Special things people did in the past for their religion
  • Studying old plants remains to learn about what people ate
  • How people started farming and why
  • Drawing and studying old pictures on rocks
  • Studying old things found under the sea
  • How people protect and take care of old things

Cross-Cutting and Interdisciplinary Topics

  • Looking at how different things about a person come together
  • Studying how people are treated fairly when it comes to the environment
  • Thinking about what’s right or wrong when studying people
  • Using different sciences to learn about how people and the world around them are changing because of the weather
  • Learning from native people about how to take care of the Earth
  • How technology helps us learn about people
  • Working with native people to learn from them
  • Looking at how people and animals lived together
  • Studying how people are changing the world
  • Looking at how people see things because of their skin color

Emerging and Futuristic Topics

  • Studying how robots and computers are like people
  • Looking at how people act online
  • Thinking about how people will live in space
  • What’s right or wrong when scientists change people’s genes
  • Thinking about how people and machines will be together in the future
  • Studying new things that are being made
  • Learning how people deal with big problems like disasters
  • What’s right or wrong when we change the Earth
  • Taking care of old things that are online
  • Studying how people and machines are being put together

Some More Interesting Anthropology Research Topics

  • How social media affects different cultures
  • Why stories are important for keeping our traditions alive
  • How language can make someone feel powerful at work
  • Why music and dancing matter in different cultures
  • How food is part of important events and traditions
  • How native people are shown in movies and TV
  • Why some people change their bodies in special ways
  • What happens to traditions when lots of people visit
  • How religion affects what people think is right or wrong
  • Why do people wear certain clothes that show where they’re from
  • How climate change affects native communities
  • How we can help the environment and respect people’s culture
  • Why boys and girls are expected to act a certain way
  • How people help each other during bad times
  • Why making things by hand is important to some cultures
  • How moving to a new place can change who you are
  • Why playing games is part of the culture
  • How holidays help keep us together
  • Why do we tell stories to each other
  • How the world is changing because people in different places are talking to each other
  • How people learn new things from each other
  • How we show when something important happens in our lives
  • Why do we take care of older people
  • How families work in different places
  • How old ways of living changed because of new people
  • How people deal with someone doing something wrong
  • Why do we laugh at silly things
  • How do we stay healthy, and what do we do when we’re not feeling well
  • Why do some people have babies, and some don’t
  • Why do we tell stories about things that didn’t happen
  • How do we help people who need extra help
  • Why we like new things and how they change us
  • How we make friends and what we do with them
  • Why someone is chosen to lead and what they do
  • Why it’s important to take care of our planet
  • How we talk shows who we are
  • How big cities change who we are
  • Why we fight and how it changes our traditions
  • Why it’s important to have fun and relax
  • How we remember our past and who we are

These topics cover various cultural, social, and environmental aspects of human societies, providing ample opportunities for research and exploration in anthropology.

Tips While Choosing The Right Anthropology Research Topics

Tips While Choosing The Right Anthropology Research Topics

Picking the perfect topic for your anthropology research can be confusing, but don’t worry—we have some handy tips to simplify it.

Choosing the right anthropology research topic is important for a fun and rewarding project. Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

  • Pick something you like : Choose a topic that interests and excites you. The research process becomes more enjoyable and meaningful when you’re into your subject.
  • Look at new things : Stay updated on the latest happenings and talks in anthropology. Exploring modern-day issues can provide fresh angles and contribute to ongoing conversations.
  • Mix different subjects : Anthropology combines fields like sociology, psychology, and history. Look for topics that allow you to connect across subjects for a richer understanding.
  • Make it smaller : While anthropology covers a lot, it’s important to focus on a specific part or cultural group. This will help you dig deeper into your chosen area and find more insightful stuff.
  • Ensure it’s doable : Consider the resources available, access to research places or people, and the time to finish. Choose a topic that is both interesting and practically achievable.
  • Ask for help : Don’t hesitate to talk to teachers, mentors, or experienced researchers in your area of interest. Their insights and suggestions can be valuable in refining your topic and ensuring it’s relevant.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to choose an anthropology research topic that matches your interests and contributes to the ever-growing understanding of human diversity and culture.

Closing Up 

As we finish looking at all these different anthropology topics, it’s clear that studying humans is a big and interesting exploration. Each topic we discussed opens a window into the many unique ways humans live worldwide. 

Whether learning about ancient groups, special languages people use to communicate, or the close social bonds that connect communities, these topics remind us how creative and varied human life is. 

As you start your anthropology journey, may these topics get you curious, inspiring you to question what you think you know and see things in new ways. Ultimately, they can help you appreciate the incredible tapestry of human cultures from all over and throughout time. 

By understanding our shared pasts and presents, we can build a future filled with kindness, understanding, and joy in our differences. After all, our diversity is what makes the human story so special and meaningful.

How can I choose the right anthropology research topic?

Consider your interests and the subfield of anthropology you’re most passionate about. Research current trends and emerging issues in the field for inspiration.

Are there any ethical considerations when conducting anthropological research?

Yes, ethical considerations are crucial in anthropology, especially regarding cultural sensitivity, informed consent, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

How can I ensure my anthropology research is unique and original?

Conduct thorough literature reviews to identify gaps in existing research and explore novel perspectives or methodologies to contribute to the field.

Can anthropology research topics be interdisciplinary?

Absolutely! Anthropology often intersects with other disciplines, such as sociology, biology, linguistics, and environmental science, offering interdisciplinary research opportunities.

Similar Articles

100 Research Topics In Commerce Field

Top 100 Research Topics In Commerce Field

The world of commerce is rapidly evolving. With new technologies, globalization, and changing consumer behaviors, many exciting research topics exist…

Mini Project Ideas For Computer Engineering Students

Top 30+ Mini Project Ideas For Computer Engineering Students

Mini projects are really important for computer engineering students. They help students learn by doing practical stuff alongside their regular…

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

  • UConn Library
  • Topic: How to do Anthropological Research
  • How to Pick a Topic

Topic: How to do Anthropological Research — How to Pick a Topic

  • Finding Background Information
  • Ethnographies
  • Where to Find Anthro Articles
  • Where to Find Anthro Books & Videos
  • Citing Using AAA/Chicago Style

Picking a Topic and Search Terms

anthropology research paper ideas

The key to successfully picking a topic is to select one that is not too broad (with 10,000 results) but also not too narrow (with little or no results). If you are trying to pick a topic on a subject you are not familiar with, here are some steps to follow:

  • Read the assignment and make sure you understand what it is asking you, If you are not sure, ask your professor to clarify the assignment for you
  • Do some background research on the topic you are interested with (Check the Finding Background Information Page in this guide)
  • Read through your syllabus and textbooks to get inspiration for topics
  • Identify key concepts and keywords while doing background research that you can use later to search for articles on your topic.
  • Don't be afraid to re-write or change your research question after learning more about your topic.
  • Don't limit yourself to search only anthropological databases. Anthropology is a multi and cross-disciplinary field, so make sure to check other subject specific databases to find other useful sources in your topic.
  • Picking a Topic and Search Terms You can download and print my tips on how to pick a topic and search terms.

Concept Mapping

  • Watch this Concept Mapping Video!!
  • How to Make Any Topic Anthropological

This video takes an educational topic and explores different ways that this topic can be studied through different disciplines.

How to make any topic anthropological using a Concept Map:

  • If you are studying a specific ethnic group and/or region/country , you can add those keywords to your search too, e.g. Maasai AND Smartphones AND Communication AND anthropology (you can use synonyms and different phrases to best capture your topic and find more relevant articles.
  • If using Google Scholar, type your keywords and add any of these terms: anthropology, anthropological, ethnographical, ethnography , to make sure that your result lists bring up more anthropological articles to the top.
  • If using Multidisciplinary Databases, use the same strategy than search Google Scholar to find anthropological articles. In addition, certain databases allow you to limit your search to only anthropological journals , so take advantage of that feature when searching.
  • Explore this Concept Map You can zoom in and out of this concept map or you can follow the link to visit the site to see in details this concept map.
  • Mind Mapping (also known as Concept Mapping) A helpful handout to show step by step how to create a concept map to map out a topic.

Create your own Concept Map!!

  • UVA-Thinking Tool: Choosing a Topic and Search Terms Use this handy Mapping Cloud handout to start working on your topic and building keywords.
  • << Previous: Ethnographies
  • Next: Where to Find Anthro Articles >>
  • Last Updated: Aug 29, 2024 11:41 AM
  • URL: https://guides.lib.uconn.edu/anthresearch

Creative Commons

Cultural Anthropology Research Paper Suggestions

Some suggested topics for your paper:, note-- these instructions are for students taking the course during a regular semester, not the 5-week bridge module course.

  • A description of key points of a culture in which you are interested (a brief ethnography)
  • An in-depth look at the concept of "worldview" or the comparison of the worldviews of two societies
  • Religious beliefs or practices of a particular society
  • Marriage/family in a particular group or comparison between societies
  • Types of economic organization/systems
  • Language acquisition
  • The influence of language on culture
  • Views about ancestors
  • The role of women in a given society
  • Doing fieldwork as an anthropologist
  • The importance of cultural anthropology to the missionary . . . or to the business executive . . .or to the educator . . . or to the . . .
  • Ethnocentrism and some tips on how to minimize it
  • The idea of cultural baggage and how to minimize it
  • Culture shock : What it is and how to best work through it

These topics are given to you as idea starters. You may use one of these or some adaptation of it or you may come up with a different topic that interests you more. Leafing through any introduction to cultural anthropology book may also stimulate your thinking in terms of a topic.

Ready for some cross-cultural humor?

Missionaries and other people working and living cross-culturally commit lots of little cultural errors that provide laughter for their hosts (and for themselves as well). [ ]

Check out this AI-generated list of research paper topic ideas for Introduction to Cultural Anthropology courses:

  • Cultural Practices and Beliefs: Explore a specific cultural practice or belief system, such as rituals surrounding death, marriage customs, or coming-of-age ceremonies.
  • Cultural Change and Adaptation: Investigate how cultures adapt to changing environments, technologies, or socio-political systems. This could include the impact of globalization, colonialism, or modernization on indigenous cultures.
  • Language and Communication: Analyze the role of language in shaping cultural identity, social interaction, and worldview. This could involve studying language diversity, language revitalization efforts, or the impact of language on thought processes.
  • Cultural Heritage and Preservation: Investigate efforts to preserve cultural heritage, including museums, cultural festivals, or indigenous rights movements aimed at protecting ancestral lands and traditions.
  • Ethnicity and Identity: Explore how ethnicity is constructed and experienced in different cultural contexts, including issues of race relations, ethnic conflict, or identity politics.
  • Religion and Spirituality: Examine the role of religion and spirituality in shaping cultural practices, social organization, and worldview. This could involve studying religious rituals, belief systems, or religious syncretism.
  • Food and Culture: Investigate the cultural significance of food, including food rituals, culinary traditions, and the symbolic meanings attached to different types of cuisine.
  • Art and Expression: Analyze the role of art, music, dance, and other forms of cultural expression in shaping identity, social cohesion, and resistance movements.
  • Cross-Cultural Comparisons: Compare and contrast cultural practices, beliefs, or social institutions across different societies or regions. This could involve exploring similarities and differences in family structures, economic systems, or political organization.

Note: Choose a topic that interests you as well as aligns with the themes and concepts covered in your particular course. Additionally, taken into consideration the research materials and resources that will be available to support your investigation.

More for you on Cultural Anthropology

  • Cultural bingo icebreaker
  • Bwanda Fusa game
  • Cultural Anthrpology case studies
  • Christianity and culture
  • Cultural Anthropology Course
  • Culture shock (a.k.a. cultural adjustment)
  • Ethnocentrism and monoculturalism
  • Iceberg, onion, and concentric cirlces: models of culture
  • What do we think we see? Light bulb illustration
  • Missions and culture
  • My own culture shock
  • PowerPoint presentations used in class
  • Reentry: Coming home

Banner

Anthropology: Developing Topics & Research Questions

  • About this Guide
  • Why Databases?
  • Developing Topics & Research Questions
  • Reviewing Search Strategies
  • What are Scholarly Articles?
  • Finding Books, Articles, & Websites
  • Finding Streaming Videos
  • Citing in APA 7
  • Getting Research Help

Developing a Research Question Takes Research

When the scope of your paper is too big, it's hard to dig through information and to write a paper wit any depth. The goal of most research papers in college is to seek a possible answer to a particular questions related to a topic. A research question, when not too broad or too narrow, helps guide and focus your paper.

The question should also be one in which you haven't decided on a pre-determined answer. You may find that looking for sources that provide a certain answer may be too limiting. The answer you are expecting might not be supported by evidence.

Brainstorm & do some pre-research

The research question isn't a question you make up at the top of your head. It's normal to start with a broad topic in mind. After doing some brainstorming about a topic, you will need to do some reading to find an angle to pursue, and, even then, your question may change as you find more information later.

Ask questions

From your pre-research, think about questions you might be able to ask regarding the topic. Most scholarly research examines fairly narrow topics and looks at relationships between concepts. One way to limit the scope of your topic is to ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions.

Be flexible

It's okay to continue to tweak your question; the end result should be that you have answered the question you've laid out in the introduction, even if the introduction is the last paragraph you actually end up revising in your final paper.

Picking Your Topic IS Research

North Carolina State University (NCSU) Libraries, 3:10

OER Book Chapters

  • The Qualities of a Good Research Question from LibreTexts
  • Research Questions from Choosing & Using Sources: A Guide to Academic Research, Teaching & Learning, Ohio State University Libraries

Research is a Process

Anna Eisen (2:35)

Encourages students to develop background knowledge to create a research question.  Research questions should have topic, question and significance.  The narrator suggests using the following formulation:  I’m studying  _______________ to investigate ______________ in order to understand. Complex research questions take time to create.

Keeping your research question in mind, if you can answer TRUE to the statements below, your research question is probably workable.

  • It cannot simply be answered with a yes/no. 
  • It has social significance/a problem associated with it.
  • There is reliable evidence available to address it.
  • It has appropriate scope.

Be careful about investigating questions that you think you already have the answer to.

Choosing a Manageable Research Topic

PfauLibrary (3:42)

  • << Previous: Keywords
  • Next: Reviewing Search Strategies >>
  • Last Updated: Sep 4, 2024 7:26 PM
  • URL: https://libguides.mccd.edu/Anthropology

100 Anthropology Essay Topics for College Students

When it comes to writing a good essay in anthropology, the process is quite similar to other disciplines. When it comes to arguing, the only thing that differs is the type of evidence you offer to support your position. You could use textual evidence from novels or literary theory to support your assertions in an English essay; in an anthropology essay, you would most likely use textual evidence from ethnographies together with artifactual evidence, or other support from anthropological theories to support your ideas.

anthropology research paper ideas

In this article, let us look at multiple examples of titles and topic ideas for your upcoming research projects for anthropology thesis projects, including both quantitative and qualitative studies, as well as case studies.

Researching human people, their forebears, and how they connect to phenomena is part of writing about anthropological issues. The environment, physical characteristics, culture, and social interactions are all examples of phenomena. Anthropology is widely regarded as a science in modern culture. In addition, there is a wealth of knowledge on many anthropological issues.

Anthropology, on the other hand, is a complicated subject. And writing on any issue in this field necessitates familiarity with many societies, traditions, and cultures. Furthermore, issues in social anthropology integrate sociology and history.

As a result, researching and writing about some anthropology-related topics might be difficult. Nonetheless, this topic encompasses nearly every element of human life. Our client writing service has compiled a list of some of the greatest anthropology themes.

Anthropology Research Topics

  • What role has art played in the advancement of anthropology in the modern era?
  • How might cultural values be used to research religion?
  • What is the evolution of an ideology?
  • What methods do anthropologists use to investigate the effects of ideology on human society?
  • What does nationalism look like from an anthropological standpoint? How can a leader integrate nationalism into his or her current culture?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of theoretical anthropology?
  • What role does anthropology play in poverty alleviation?
  • What is anthropology’s scientific approach to the development of human rights?
  • How do anthropologist organizations guarantee that human rights are respected and that international law is translated into local legislation in order to reduce gender violence in society?
  • What role does culture play in superpower politics?
  • How do you classify the factors that shape modern global culture?
  • Adapting to environment and maladaptation’s health consequences
  • Various physiological processes are interpreted differently in different places.
  • Major shifts in the body’s projects and the qualities that we value as humans

Here are a few more topics to pick from.

Medical Anthropology Essay Topics

  • Assessment of the political ecology of both infectious and vector-borne diseases. 
  • How do chronic illnesses, violence, and malnutrition all connect to one other?
  • The political component of healthcare supply, as well as the financial aspect
  • In terms of healthcare and sickness, people’s views of vulnerability, risk, and responsibility are all important.
  • Cultural norms, human behavior, and social structures have both protective and risky aspects.
  • Preventive healthcare approaches and harm reduction
  • Illness experience and disease-related social relationships
  • Transitions in diet, health, and healthcare and how they are influenced by a number of factors.
  • Interactions between clinicians and members of a social organization
  • In a therapeutic process, pluralistic and ethnomedicine techniques are used.
  • Medical policies and practices are shaped by historical and cultural factors.
  • Biotechnology and medicines and how they are interpreted differently.
  • Medical practices in the contexts of colonialism, postcolonialism, and modernity
  • How society has commodified and commercialized medicine and healthcare.
  • Disparities in health and disease distributions across North America.
  • Describe how biological anthropology differs from other scientific disciplines.
  • In what ways does biological anthropology try to understand and interpret human evolution?
  • Explain how primatologists utilize biological anthropology to better understand evolutionary processes in monkeys.
  • Investigating the use of fossils in paleoanthropology.
  • How biological anthropologists elaborate the evolution of human behaviour and social structures
  • Explain how, from the perspective of biological anthropology, observing modern people allows scientists to derive conclusions and insights.
  • Determine the main geographical locations that biological anthropologists investigate.
  • What role does geography play in understanding human evolution?
  • Choose one of these themes and conduct comprehensive research before writing your article.

Other General Anthropology Essay Topics

Examples of titles and topics for an anthropology thesis include the following:

  • The advancement of anthropology during the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
  • What lessons can we draw about ourselves as a species from anthropological studies?
  • Similarities and differences between physical and biological anthropology.
  • What contribution does cultural anthropology play in assisting us gain a better understanding of ourselves?
  • How is the link between the concepts gathered and the field of social anthropology demonstrated?
  • Is there any proof that the human species has evolved within the previous two millennia?
  • An investigation on the language preferences of diverse groups of individuals living in the same country.
  • Investigating a contrast between verbal communication and sign language.
  • In what ways may anthropologists who work in the subject of linguistic anthropology benefit from the discipline of semiotics?
  • An investigation and comparison of various art forms in an anthropological setting in both Western and non-Western cultures.
  • What have been the most significant repercussions of globalization in regard to nutritional anthropology?
  • Evaluating the potential influence of political systems on particular cultures, using anthropological study.
  • Highlighting the implications of trust in the physician-patient relationship and how it may be built.
  • 14 .By employing appropriate case studies, explain how kinship is anthropologically defined.
  • Compare and contrast economic anthropological concerns in pre- and post-capitalist civilizations, as well as their respective historical periods.
  • The application of anthropological study in order to assess the influence of various political systems
  • Identify, compare, and contrast medical therapies that are comparable yet were discovered and developed separately in various nations
  • Describe the significance of medical anthropology in connection to the theme of anthropology as a whole, and provide examples.
  • What cognitive abilities can be observed and examined during an anthropological psychological examination?
  • The utilization of case studies involving altered states of consciousness in order to provide a more thorough explanation of the study of transpersonal anthropology.
  • Examine the application of human rights to persons who have been convicted of crimes.
  • When it comes to legal anthropology, the relevance of concepts relating to the law is the most essential factor to consider. 
  • Is it a generalization to say that anthropologists are mostly anti-urban in their outlook?
  • Exploring the meaning of paleontology.
  • What are the most significant organizations in the field of anthropology when it comes to furthering the study of the subject?
  • Looking at how indigenous people in Ecuador have formed and fragmented their identities based on gender and race.
  • Investigating the dialectic of a Future Feminist
  • The significance of a movement called Lesbians Against the Law between 1987 and 2014 in India.
  • Pornography and Sexual Communication in Public and Private. 
  • How wars are fought, and also said: 9/11 and the War on Terrorism as depicted in United States history books
  • Writing on the Sidelines: The Theory of Young Women Reading Science-Fictional Fiction
  • Exploring images of female empowerment appeared in popular culture throughout the 1990s.
  • The Debate on Sex, Science, and Politics in Sociobiology
  • The Consent Policy in the Context of Compulsory Sex-Positivity Education
  • The ‘Impossible’ of the Legacy of Slavery in Jamaica during 1753-1786.
  • How have humans Survived Plagues since the 1800s?

How to Write Anthropology Essay

Some suggestions for tackling your anthropological writing projects are as follows:

  • Double-check that you understand what the prompt or question is asking you to accomplish before you proceed. If you are unsure about a prompt, it is a good idea to check with your teacher or teaching assistant for clarification. For more information on what many college professors look for in a typical paper, see our handouts on arguments and handout on college writing.
  • It is possible that you may want to hold a brainstorming session once you have gone through your evidence and course materials. We think you’ll find our handouts on reading in readiness for writing and brainstorming beneficial at this time.

Build a rough draft of your working thesis and begin organizing your supporting evidence (lectures from class or readings from books or articles). We have handouts on how to construct thesis statements and how to develop paragraphs that will assist you in generating a thesis and developing your ideas and arguments into clear and concise paragraphs.

How to Cite Your Sources in Your Anthropology Essay

The sources that you examine to create and convey your ideas are extremely essential in anthropology, as they are in all other disciplines of study. In order to prevent plagiarizing, please refer to your course handout or Purdue guidelines on plagiarism for more details. When it comes to documenting their sources, anthropologists adhere to the Chicago Manual of Style. According to the AAA Style Guide (American Anthropological Association), there are a few fundamental principles to follow when citing anthropological sources. It’s important to remember that anthropologists often utilize in-text citations rather than footnotes in their work.

When you are utilizing someone else’s ideas (whether it is a direct quotation or something you have rewritten), you must mention the author’s last name and the date the original material was published in parentheses at the end of the sentence, as in the following example: (Author, 2021.)

In case your anthropology or archaeology instructor advises you to structure your citations in accordance with the style standards of a specific academic journal, the publication’s website should include all of the information you will need to organize your citations correctly. Journals such as The American Journal of Physical Anthropology and American Antiquity are examples of this type of publication. Although some journals may not clearly indicate their style requirements, many teachers will be happy if you regularly utilize the citation style of your choosing, even if the journal is not expressly specified.

Topics in Cultural Anthropology

The science of social behavior and patterns, and also why and how they vary in modern civilizations, is referred to as cultural ethnography. Ethnohistory, ethnography, and cross-cultural studies are examples of cultural anthropological study subjects. Here is a list of probable paper topics to consider.

  • Forced marriages among young females in Northern Nigeria are influenced by underlying religious beliefs.
  • The difficult tasks that women perform in contemporary Africa
  • Examining the impact of religious ideas on African civilizations
  • What impact do superstitions have on the African way of life?
  • Evaluating the progression of sexual discrimination in recent times.
  • The impact of homosexual marriage on cultural and socioeconomic origins
  • Explain why racism still exists in today’s world.
  • Examine the reasons of homelessness among Indians.
  • How can India address the issue of homelessness?
  • The impact of homosexuality on the cultural and social landscape
  • The impact of homosexuality on African social views
  • Culture’s impact on human civilization
  • The relationship between political science and cultural anthropology
  • Contemporary media and its role in shaping cultural imperialism
  • Explain cultural shock and how to deal with it.
  • Strategies to reduce overall cultural baggage.
  • The most important aspects of any culture
  • How do religious views influence culture?
  • The impact of language learning on people’s cultural practices.

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • View all journals

Social anthropology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Social anthropology is the subdiscipline of anthropology that investigates the cultural properties of human societies. Topics include cultural norms, morals, laws and customs, and there is a particular focus on the comparative study of non-industrialised societies.

Latest Research and Reviews

anthropology research paper ideas

Three-way interaction effect of hindrance research stressors, inclusive mentoring style, and academic resilience on research creativity among doctoral students from China

  • Chunlei Liu
  • Xiaoqing Gao

anthropology research paper ideas

Dimensions of wisdom perception across twelve countries on five continents

The authors examine wisdom perception in convenience samples from twelve countries. They observe two latent dimensions that guide participant’s evaluation of wisdom-related characteristics in others and the self—reflective orientation and socio-emotional awareness, which were consistent across the studied cultural regions.

  • H. C. Barrett
  • I. Grossmann

anthropology research paper ideas

Heart of the future home: a multidimensional model of inclusive kitchen for older people in the UK

  • Zhidiankui Xu

anthropology research paper ideas

The evolution of cultural diversity in Pama-Nyungan Australia

  • Duncan Learmouth
  • Robert. H. Layton
  • Jamshid. J. Tehrani

anthropology research paper ideas

Seed dispersal by Martu peoples promotes the distribution of native plants in arid Australia

Human dispersal of wild plants has received limited attention. Here, the authors combine ecological surveys and ethnographic observations to examine how Martu Aboriginal people’s seed dispersal and landscape burning impact plant distribution.

  • Rebecca Bliege Bird
  • Douglas W. Bird
  • Peter M. Veth

anthropology research paper ideas

Reappropriating the communal past: lineage tradition revival as a way of constructing collective identity in Huizhou, China

Advertisement

News and Comment

A wise doorman’s hidden treasures.

  • Tilmann Heil

anthropology research paper ideas

Declining human fertility and the epidemic of despair

Increasing inequality and social fragmentation may give rise to a collective state of despair that may not only diminish the desire to live but also dampen the drive to reproduce, resulting in shrinking fertility and population decline.

  • Michael L. Platt
  • Peter Sterling

anthropology research paper ideas

Sister cities for the Anthropocene

A ‘Sister Cities for the Anthropocene’ network could address the challenges experienced by urban communities in the wake of Anthropocene-driven change.

  • Cymene Howe
  • Dominic Boyer

anthropology research paper ideas

From equitable access to equitable innovation: rethinking bioengineering for global health

What does global health equity mean? In bioengineering, ‘equity’ is often interpreted as global ‘access’ to technologies, thereby neglecting wider structural inequalities. Here we suggest that concepts of equity need to be expanded to incorporate principles of equitable representation and recognition within the innovation ecosystem.

  • Alice Street
  • Maïwenn Kersaudy Kerhoas
  • Zibusiso Ndlovu

Key points for an ethnography of AI: an approach towards crucial data

Recent years have seen an increase in calls for ethnography as a method to study Artificial Intelligence (AI). Scholars from diverse backgrounds have been encouraged to move beyond quantitative methods and embrace qualitative methods, particularly ethnography. As anthropologists of data and AI, we appreciate the growing recognition of qualitative methods. However, we emphasize the importance of grounding ethnography in specific ways of engaging with one’s field site for this method to be valuable. Without this grounding, research outcomes on AI may become distorted. In this commentary, we highlight three key aspects of the ethnographic method that require special attention to conduct robust ethnographic studies of AI: committed fieldwork (even if the fieldwork period is short), trusting relationships between researchers and participants, and, importantly, attentiveness to subtle, ambiguous, or absent-present data. This last aspect is often overlooked but is crucial in ethnography. By sharing examples from our own and other researchers’ ethnographic fieldwork, we showcase the significance of conducting ethnography with careful attention to such data and shed light on the challenges one might encounter in AI research.

  • Roanne van Voorst
  • Tanja Ahlin

anthropology research paper ideas

Late Neolithic community, clay pipes and water diversion in monsoonal North Central China

Excavation and a geoarchaeological survey provide evidence of an early multi-levelled water management system in the Late-Holocene East Asian Monsoon region.

  • Vernon L. Scarborough

Quick links

  • Explore articles by subject
  • Guide to authors
  • Editorial policies

anthropology research paper ideas

Anthropology How To

  • Getting Started

Choosing Your Topic is Research

Developing research questions.

  • Finding Additional Sources This link opens in a new window
  • Collecting and Analyzing Data
  • Methods Training and Tutorials
  • Software and Equipment
  • Requesting Library Materials - Step by Step

Profile Photo

A focused topic is only the beginning of a good research project. As you explore and refine your topic, keep track of questions that occur to you. This list of questions will come in handy when you are refining your topic idea into a research question, or series of questions. The research questions you develop will further focus your project and serve as a guide for developing your methodology and for identifying participant groups or other research materials (e.g. samples, museum collections, archives, and datasets).

If you are struggling to select a topic, here are a few tips:

  • Spend time browsing the literature in the more general subject area. Oxford Bibliographies Online is an excellent resource for this. You could also select a couple of journals that look interesting and read titles or skim abstracts from articles published in the last five years or so to see if anything sparks your interest.
  • Look for book reviews or literature reviews related to the topic area. These two types of writing can give you a higher-level picture of the field and might direct you to interesting debates or underexplored research areas.
  • Talk with your colleagues, friends, or other students about what projects they are considering. If you already have a topic, discuss your ideas with them. Their comments and questions can help you focus your ideas and reveal assumptions that may be holding you back.  

Finally, watch this brief video from NC State on choosing a research topic, Picking Your Topic IS Research! . It shows how topic development and research are intertwined.

A well-formed research question should include three parts:

1) the problem that you are investigating,

2) your thesis or argument, and

3) the limits of your project.

Research questions should be focused enough to guide your project. They will serve as the primary tool for defining the scope of your research, analyzing your data, and communicating results.

The Craft of Research by Wayne Booth is an excellent resource for any researcher. This book covers the entire research process from topic development to writing. It is full of sound advice presented in a straightforward and engaging style. See section 3.3 in the 2016 edition for advice on developing questions.

  • << Previous: Getting Started
  • Next: When to do a Literature Review >>
  • Last Updated: Aug 30, 2023 11:19 AM
  • URL: https://guides.libraries.emory.edu/main/anthropologicalmethods

My Paper Done

  • Services Paper editing services Paper proofreading Business papers Philosophy papers Write my paper Term papers for sale Term paper help Academic term papers Buy research papers College writing services Paper writing help Student papers Original term papers Research paper help Nursing papers for sale Psychology papers Economics papers Medical papers Blog

anthropology research paper ideas

123 Outstanding Anthropology Research Paper Topics You Should Try

Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Do you have a research paper in anthropology and want to stand out in your class? It is always a challenge to write a research paper for a high grade. The first step is identifying a good topic for your paper, but this is never easy because anthropology is a vast discipline. Indeed, most students get stuck even before starting for lack of good ideas for their papers. Here is a list of the top 123 anthropology research paper topics for top grades to help you out. You can pick the preferred one as it is or tweak it a little to suit your work. 

Physical Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Physical anthropology mainly deals with people’s behavioural aspects and their extinct ancestors. It also relates to non-human primates. To look deeper into this interesting area, here are some awesome physical anthropology paper topics.

  • Human origin: Comparing the evolutionist and creationists views about the origin of man.
  • What are the pros and cons of eugenics in the 21 st century?
  • The underlying beliefs in the preservation of the dead in Ancient Egypt.
  • Analysing contemporary facts about Homo habilis.
  • What are the implications of smoking on a human being’s appearance?
  • Analysing the impacts of physical labour on an individual’s appearance.
  • Comparing ageing in African and western cultures.
  • What are the implications of the environment on human skin?
  • Comparing the evolution of the human brain to that of other animals.
  • Cremation: How it stands on the way of establishing human bone morphology.
  • Skeletal biology: A closer look at the shift from biological variation to diet and health analysis.
  • Genetic engineering and anthropology.
  • The evolution of human beings.

Easy Topics for Anthropology Research Paper

If you want a simple topic in anthropology to work on, check out the following nineteen suggestions and pick the preferred option.

  • A closer look at racism: What are its origin and implications?
  • Belief in supernatural and magic.
  • Analysing different ranks in society.
  • Anthropology as a forensic science.
  • Heroes in our society.
  • HIV/AIDS: A global perspective.
  • Closed societies.
  • Cocaine use in South America: What are the implications?
  • Australian aboriginal culture.
  • The influence of language on culture.
  • Magic and science.
  • Festivals and ritual in ancient Egypt.
  • Comparing the similarities and differences between Chinese and Japanese traditional festivals.
  • Literature: What is its role in human development?
  • Culture and development.
  • Stereotypes in modern society.
  • The Quechua people of Peru.
  • The rise of terrorism in the 20 th century.
  • Rituals and folklores in society.
  • Marijuana legalization: A deeper look at the pros and cons.

Biological Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Biological anthropology is another very popular area, and you should consider exploring it further. Here are some great medical anthropology research paper topics for you to consider.

  • The origin of Minamata disease and its impacts on Japanese populations.
  • A deeper look into the effects of radioactivity implications on populations affected by the Chernobyl Disaster of 1986.
  • The evolution of birds.
  • Ethnozoology concepts applications in medicine.
  • Explaining human biological variability.
  • The socio-economic history of alcoholism in Western Europe.
  • Analysing the effectiveness of strategies used to control the Ebola virus in Africa.
  • Comparing the response strategies used to address Ebola and COVID-19.
  • How did the holocaust impact the life of survivors?
  • Comparing HIV/AIDS pandemic in Europe and Africa.
  • Justifications for the high prevalence of cystic fibrosis prevalence among the whites in the US.
  • The application of alternative medicine in modern China: Comparing its weaknesses and strengths.
  • A closer look at the evolution of the human eye.
  • High levels of mental disorders in Asia: Is it a major threat?
  • The cultural implications of gay marriages in Europe.
  • The transgenerational impact of Yokkaichi asthma in Japan.
  • The population effect of Itai-Itai disease: A case study of Japan.

Unique Anthropology Paper Topics

To make your college papers stand out and enjoy top grades, it is advisable to make them as unique and professional as possible. Here are some awesome topics to consider in anthropology.

  • Comparing agricultural practices applied in Europe and Asia.
  • Polygamy: How is it practised in different Asian societies?
  • Traditional healing practices in Africa.
  • Clothing-related customs in Asia.
  • Why does racing still exist today?
  • The evolution of workplace discrimination.
  • Analysing social networks and how they work in a society of your choice.
  • The evolution of sexual discrimination in modern societies.
  • Comparing the Maya and Aztec civilizations.
  • Religious diversity: Comparing India and Turkey.
  • American and Asian hip hop: How do they compare?
  • How did the Roman Empire change societies in Europe?
  • What are the implications of Barack Obama presidency on black population in the US?
  • The relationship between religion and rituals in a society of your choice.
  • Exploring common rituals on childbirth in different societies around the globe.
  • How are myths and religion-related in different communities?
  • Exploring marriage rituals in Asia.
  • A closer look at pagan rituals.
  • Climate change and its impacts on the development of fish.
  • Analysing the evolution of Halloween celebrations.
  • Natural selection in the Animal kingdom.
  • A deeper look at the earliest life forms.
  • Analysing religious practices of two cultures in Asian societies.
  • The impact of climate change on the development of plants.

Cultural Anthropology Paper Topics

Cultural anthropology is fascinating. To make it even more enjoyable, here are some great anthropology research paper topics to consider.

  • A closer look at the greeting gestures in American and Asian cultures.
  • Comparing kissing traditions in Eastern and Western societies.
  • The evolving views about marriage in China.
  • Cultural assimilation.
  • How to work through culture shock.
  • Ethnic cleansing: Comparing the Holocaust to the Rwanda genocide.
  • The causes and effects of homelessness in the US.
  • Same-sex marriage: Analysing the influence of social media.
  • Burial practices: How does religion impact the way people bury their dead?
  • The effect of the Latin language on Roman culture.
  • Women roles in society: Comparing ancient and modern Egypt.
  • American consumerism vs. Scandinavian minimalism.
  • A closer look at immigrants in America between the 16 th and 17 th centuries.
  • Analysing social attitudes towards monarchs in the Netherlands and Great Britain.
  • Strategies for minimizing cultural baggage.
  • The link between cultural anthropology and political science.
  • The modern media and cultural imperialism.
  • A closer look at political correctness in the modern age.
  • Forced child nuptial in West Africa: What are the driving forces?
  • The role of ancestors in society.
  • The hunter-gatherer societies.
  • How the concepts of childhood have changed in emergent economies.
  • The purpose of IQ and IQ testing around the world today.
  • What is the link between art and anthropology?
  • Comparing feminism in American and Asian cultures.
  • How to minimize ethnocentrism.
  • Gift-giving customs in different societies.
  • Gender roles in society.
  • Critical race theory.

Forensic Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Do you love forensic anthropology? Here are some excellent anthropology paper topics to consider:

  • Criminal profiling: Are the current methods of establishing a criminal’s behaviour effective?
  • Analysing the effectiveness of radioactive carbon dating techniques.
  • What is the importance of crime scene in forensic anthropology?
  • Footprints found in crime scene: How are they used?
  • Use of mummification in Ancient Egypt: Assess its effectiveness.
  • Soil comparison in forensic anthropology.
  • Insects: Are they the fastest agents of decomposition?
  • How is blunt force trauma identified in forensic anthropology?
  • Can forensic anthropology help with disaster victim identification?
  • The practice of forensic anthropology in the US.
  • A closer look at the use of stature estimation from databases.
  • Common techniques applied in forensic anthropology.
  • Moral issues in the application of forensic anthropology.
  • A deeper look at new perspectives in modern forensic anthropology.
  • The evolution of police canines over time.
  • Evaluating the environmental influences on the human migratory paths.
  • Analysing the effectiveness of DNA testing procedure.
  • Darwin’s theory of evolution and its application in forensic anthropology.
  • Biases in the application of forensic anthropology theory and Practice.

Seek Help with Research Paper

Once you have selected the preferred forensic, cultural or physical anthropology term paper topics, it is time to start working on them. This requires good research ability, writing skills and attention to details, but rarely do students have the combination to prepare high-quality papers. If you find it challenging to work on your paper, consider going for online research paper writing help .  

Our online academic assistance is cheap and offered by experts with a lot of experience in academic writing. They have handled similar or related topics for cultural anthropology paper, and you can count on them to get A-rated work. Therefore, whether you selected forensic or cultural anthropology research paper topics, the best professional will be selected to guarantee you high quality work. We also offer other affordable academic-related services, including essay writing, coursework, and thesis help. Contact us with a “ do my research paper now ” request we’ll get your papers done. With the best rated professionals on your side, you can never go wrong!

social media research topics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Terms & Conditions Loyalty Program Privacy Policy Money-Back Policy

Copyright © 2013-2024 MyPaperDone.com

USF Libraries Hours by campus

Search the usf libraries, libraries locations.

  • Libraries Hours
  • Outages & Maintenance Alerts
  • Grad Students
  • Alumni & Public
  • Ask A Librarian
  • Subject & Course Guides
  • Research Tools
  • Find My Librarian

COLLECTIONS

  • Special Collections
  • Digital Initiatives
  • Digital Commons @ USF
  • Center for Digital Heritage & Geospatial Information
  • Administration
  • Get Help With...
  • USF Health Libraries

Open Access Research

  • USF Digital Commons This link opens in a new window
  • OER Materials
  • Article Databases
  • Open Publisher Journals
  • Education Journals
  • Open Access STEM Resources
  • Open Access Education Resources
  • Anthropology
  • Scholarly Presses and Literature
  • AI Tools for OA
  • Browser Plugins
  • Community Science

This page offers a curated selection of open-access resources essential for anthropology researchers. Key resources include freely accessible journals, databases, and repositories that provide comprehensive research across the various subfields of anthropology. This page also emphasizes collaborative opportunities, encouraging projects that connect researchers and communities to deepen our understanding of human cultures and societies. By utilizing these resources, scholars can engage with the latest research and contribute to ongoing anthropological discourse.

Open Access Anthropology

  • Anthropology.info An overview of digital libraries and repositories with free access to papers and theses. Most of them are in English (some in German and Scandinavian languages) and mostly based on the overview at Open Doar.
  • << Previous: Open Access Education Resources
  • Next: Scholarly Presses and Literature >>
  • Last Updated: Sep 3, 2024 12:55 PM
  • URL: https://guides.lib.usf.edu/openaccessresearch

79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best medical anthropology topic ideas & essay examples, 📃 interesting topics to write about medical anthropology, 🔍 simple & easy medical anthropology essay titles, ❓ medical anthropology research questions.

  • Medical Anthropology. Doctor-Patient Relationships The outcome of the doctor-patient interaction depends on the doctor’s ability to engage the patient in decision-making and share the control and power in the relationship.
  • Analysis of a News Article Through the Lens of Medical Anthropology To begin with, before referring the writing’s content to the concepts studied in the medical anthropology class, it is necessary to review and summarize the news article.
  • Medical Anthropology: Teammates in the Support of Justice, Diversity, and Inclusion This presentation provides information about Stronger Together, the company supporting the needs of this group of the population.
  • Medical Anthropology. Female Genital Mutilation Never the less it is universally unacceptable because it is an infringement on the physical and psychosexual integrity of women and girls and is a form of violence against them.
  • Medical Anthropology and Its Subfields Medical anthropology is the science of ethnomedicine; elucidation of decease; what is the reason of decease; the appraisal of health, decease, and cure from both an ethic viewpoint; naturalistic and individual clarification, evil eye, the […]
  • Medical Anthropology for Solving Health Problems In Singer and Baer’s book, anthropology is viewed as a critical component of the medical sphere, helping to define reasons for a person’s health or non-health problems.
  • Medical Anthropology: Global Warming and Health According to Singer and Baer, corporate globalization has the most negative effect on human health as it influences the creation of global warming and contributes to the spread of severe diseases such as cancer and […]
  • Medical Anthropology: Health Inequality Issue In the United States, the terms of health inequalities and health disparities label the substantially disturbing differences in the quality of medical treatment for white Americans and African Americans.
  • Medical Anthropology: Religious, Spiritual and Magical Beliefs This refers to the way of the universe, the way of humans, the way of nature, and finally transcends to the way to unite together in the essential harmony of all organisms.
  • Medical Anthropology An analysis of the power relations affecting biomedicine addresses questions such as who has the power over agencies of biomedicine, how and in what forms power is to be delegated, how the power is to […]
  • Approaches to Human Illness From a Biomedical Anthropology Perspective In a sense, the biocultural view fronted by Stanford and company can be used to explain the article’s main theme of inequality and human illness as it recognize the fact that both our evolutionary and […]
  • Medical Anthropology: Analysis of Culture and Medicine
  • The U.S. Urban Poor Health Crisis: Perspective of Critical Medical Anthropology
  • Applied Medical Anthropology: Towards a Holistic Medical Approach
  • Beyond the Anglophone World: Medical Anthropology in the Netherlands
  • Cultural Competency and Health: Applying Medical Anthropology
  • The Link Between Culture and Health Applying Medical Anthropology
  • Medical Anthropology Cultural Conflicts Hierarchy and Problems of Mental
  • The Relations Between Medical Anthropology, Health, Psychology, and Medical Sociology
  • Reinventing Medical Anthropology: Toward a Critical Realignment
  • The Body, Meaning, and Symbols in Medical Anthropology
  • The Partnership of Public Health and Anthropology
  • Critically Assessing the Fundamental Posts of Critical Medical Anthropology
  • Exploring the Applications of Ethnobotany in Medical Anthropology
  • Biosocial Worlds: Anthropology of Health Environments Beyond Determinism
  • Anthropology and International Health: Asian Case Studies
  • Distinction Between Health and Illness in Context With the Medical Anthropology
  • Medical Anthropology: How Political Economy Relates to the Issue of Social Suffering
  • The Analysis of the Importance of Medical Anthropology in the Modern World
  • Medical Anthropology: Pluralistic and Ethnomedicine Modalities in a Healing Process
  • Public Health Anthropology: Concepts and Tools
  • How to Apply Public Health Anthropology in Practice
  • Medical Anthropology: The Definition and History of Medical Anthropology
  • Overview of Interpretive or Meaning-Centered Medical Anthropology
  • The Relationships Between Psychological Anthropology and Mental Health
  • The Role of Medical Anthropology in the Healthcare System
  • Analyzing Global Perspectives on Women’s Health Anthropology
  • Advanced Studies in the Anthropology of Health Inequality
  • Anthropology of Health in Brazil: A Border Discourse
  • Applying Medicine Anthropology Theory Into Practice
  • Medical Anthropology or Anthropology of Health: Methods and Approaches
  • Critical and Clinical Engagement in Medical Anthropology Applications
  • Towards a Critical Medical Anthropology of Health‐Related Issues in Socialist‐Oriented Societies
  • Analysis of History and Scope of Medical Anthropology
  • A Pathographic Account of Health Anthropology’s Relevance
  • Analysis of the Genealogies and Anthropologies of Global Mental Health
  • Producing Medical Anthropology in Central and Eastern Europe
  • Doing Applied Medical Anthropology in Australia and Malaysia
  • Overview of the Medical and Global Health Anthropology
  • The Problem of the Misconstruction of Critical Medical Anthropology
  • The Link Between Medical Anthropology and Mental Health
  • What Does a Medical Anthropologist Do?
  • What Is an Example of Medical Anthropology?
  • What Is Medical Anthropology Anthropology?
  • Are Medical Anthropologists Doctors?
  • Is Medical Anthropology a Good Major?
  • What Is the Future of Medical Anthropology?
  • Is Medical Anthropology a Stem Major?
  • What Can You Do With Medical Anthropology?
  • Where Do Medical Anthropologists Work?
  • Who Is the Father of Medical Anthropology?
  • Who Is a Famous Medical Anthropologist?
  • Do Medical Anthropologists Travel?
  • Who Hires a Medical Anthropologist?
  • Is Medical Anthropology a Good Pre-Med Major?
  • Is Medical Anthropology Well Paid?
  • Can Medical Anthropology Work in Hospitals?
  • Is Medical Anthropology a Social Science?
  • Is Medical Anthropology a Humanities?
  • What Are Major Theoretical Approaches in Medical Anthropology?
  • Why Does Medical Anthropology Matter?
  • What Is the Main Focus of Critical Medical Anthropology?
  • How Is Medical Anthropology Different From Western Medicine?
  • Is Medical Anthropology a Health Career?
  • What Are Careers That an Medical Anthropology Degree Would Support?
  • Is There a Future for Anthropology?
  • Determinism Research Topics
  • Bioethics Titles
  • Animal Testing Topics
  • Biomedicine Essay Topics
  • Demographics Topics
  • Genetic Engineering Topics
  • Indigenous People Research Topics
  • Cultural Competence Research Topics
  • Chicago (A-D)
  • Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, September 26). 79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/medical-anthropology-essay-topics/

"79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 26 Sept. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/medical-anthropology-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2023) '79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 26 September.

IvyPanda . 2023. "79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/medical-anthropology-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/medical-anthropology-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." September 26, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/medical-anthropology-essay-topics/.

Psychology and Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Academic Writing Service

Writing an anthropology research paper? This list of psychology and anthropology research paper topics provides some ideas for narrowing down your topic to a successful and manageable one. This page also explores the connection between the disciplines of psychology and anthropology. Browse other anthropology research paper topics  for more inspiration.

Agression Alienation Altruism Ape agression Ape cognition Ape communication Ape intelligence Ape language Apollonian Artificial intelligence Childhood Civil disobedience Cognitive ethology Cognitive science Collective behavior Confirgurationalism Conflict Consciousness Counseling Crime Criminology and genetics Cross-cultural research Cultural constraints Cultural relativism Culture and personality Culture shock Dementia Deviance Enculturation Ethnocentrism Ethnopsychiatry Eudysphoria Evolutionary ethics Evolutionary psychology Folkways Forensic artists Forensic psychologists Friendships Gangs Human behavioral ecology Human competition and stress Human excellence Incest taboo Intelligence Intelligence and genetics IQ tests Kanzi Koko (lowland gorilla) Modal personality Mores Nationalism Neo-Freudianism Neurotheology Norms Psychic unity of humankind Psychology and genetics Reciprocity Sex identity Sex roles Sexuality Taboos Territoriality Transcultural psychiatry Twin studies Washoe Xenophobia

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

Psychology and Anthropology Research Paper Topics

Biological anthropology focuses primarily on two types of questions, those relating to human paleontology and the emergence in the fossil record of prehumans, humans, and their near relatives; and those relating to the study of primates. This subfield, like most others within anthropology, converges in several places with the interests and goals of psychologists, especially those who are working within a Darwinian or neodarwinian paradigm. Compatible research agendas can be found in such areas as evolutionary psychology, the evolution of language, primate cognition, language learning in chimpanzees, and developmental comparisons between chimpanzees and young children.

The study of race, until the 1950S a third leg of biological anthropology, essentially disappeared within the subdiscipline as ongoing analyses revealed greater variation within than between breeding populations, significant intermixing of many breeding groups, and overlapping distributions of gene frequencies among groups so-named as the macroraces, Caucasoid, Mongoloid, and Negroid. But within psychology, the category of race tends to be used unquestioningly (see Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 4th ed ., Washington. D.C ., 1994), and nearly half of a sample of 600 specialists in intelligence testing expressed the belief that the Black-White IQ differential was attributable, at least in part, to genetic factors (Mark Snyderman and Stanley Rothman, “Survey of expert opinion on intelligence and aptitude testing.” American Psychologist, 1987, 42, 137-144).

In archaeology, focus on reconstruction of the customs of past peoples is supplemented by an interest in the processes involved in cultural change. Some of these processes appear to be related to organizational requirements; for example, the tendency for early city-states to exert political and military control over broad areas, with accompanying trade benefits, technological specialization, and social stability and stratification. But along with this adaptational emphasis, there has been a recent attempt to understand some of the characteristics of early Mexican civilization as a consequence of individual actions of forceful, charismatic leaders (Joyce Marcus and Kent V. Flannery, How Urban Society Evolved in Mexico’s Oaxaca Valley. New York. 1996). In this interpretation, the self-serving behavior of certain leaders, in trying to advance their positions, created changes ranging from the material to political power to ideologies that attributed a supernatural ancestry to them and subsequently to their descendants. Periods of relative stability would typically follow on the rapid changes instigated by these leaders. The similarity of stage sequences among ancient civilizations, and the possible contributions to that Similarity by individual motivational and cognitive factors, would seem to offer a challenge in which psychologists can usefully aid the efforts of archaeologists.

Linguistic anthropology and psychology are both closely allied with the discipline of linguistics, but at different points of contact. It is in the use of comparative language data that anthropology meets linguistics, and in neuroscience and related areas that psychology and linguistics find common ground. The arena of study for linguistic anthropology is natural languages-their phonological and grammatical structures, semantic systems, and contexts and uses. In psychology, occasional use of cross-language data is only found in the field of human development. Differences in approach between anthropology and psychology are seen in topics treated by both disciplines. In studies of language acquisition, anthropologists attend to the interaction between linguistic factors and the cultural context, whereas psychologists more often investigate the effects of intralinguistic factors like prosodic and phonological information. In studies of language use, anthropological questions revolve around issues such as linguistic relativity, language and ethnic/national borders, and religious or legal language, while those in psychology deal with problems like verbal learning and memory, comprehension of the sentence, and understanding of the written text. As the examples indicate, a molar-molecular distinction characterizes the differences in approach between the two fields.

Anthropology’s molar-level emphasis, reflecting its macro-order analyses and main concern with natural communities (or groups) rather than individuals, is all the more salient in the largest of the subdisciplines, sociocultural anthropology. Thus the typical themes and topics are institutional; for example, cities, consumption and commodities, colonialism, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and refugees and exile. Also included in this category are specialties like anthropology of education, economic anthropology, kinship, and medical anthropology. Despite long-term goals of comparison and generalization, the norm continues to be the case study-of a culture group, community, or subgroup. In recent decades, as remote sites have begun exhibiting the effects of significant contact with the urban-industrial world, and as research authorization has become problematic in many areas, sociocultural anthropologists have turned increasingly to the investigation of plural societies and complex urban groups, and to the study of businesspeople, physicists, street children, urban witches, and National Science Foundation panels. The preferred methodological stance remains that of the single investigator pursuing a problem by means of intensive fieldwork, but archival materials are widely used as well, and some researchers now employ systematic observations, tests, and instrumentation (e.g., assessment of energy expenditure with calorimeters. and of internal responses to social stimuli with measures of cardiovascular reactivity and salivary cortisol).

A schism exists between sociocultural anthropology’s positivist scientific branch, which tends to be generalizing and comparative, and its other major sections, which may be characterized as interpretive (usually particularistic. with emphasis on the cultural-historical context and the contingent status of knowledge) and advocative (emphasis on furthering of political agendas). Studies within a specialty like medical anthropology might produce the following varied angles of attack in the study of, say, nursing homes: for the scientific, how socioeconomic status (SES) and education may affect adaptation to a nursing-home regimen or how cultural values may affect the organization of nursing homes in different societies; for the interpretive, how patients’ personal narratives might yield rich raw materials for analysis, how the definition of the interviewer’s role might affect patients’ responses to questions. or how variables beyond SES and education might be brought to bear in understanding patients’ adjustments; for advocacy, how the treatment of those in nursing homes exemplifies our modern practice of everyday violence, of ” small wars” against the powerless, and how we must be sensitive to these capacities in ourselves and fight against them. These differing perspectives employ varied methodologies, and their viewpoints and outcomes, though not in principle incommensurable, are seldom synthesized.

Psychological Anthropology

Constructs like “identity,” “self-representation, ” and “personhood” abound within sociocultural anthropology generally, but such terms are typically applied to culture groups rather than to individuals. More familiar to psychologists would be the concepts and analyses used in the specialty labeled psychological anthropology, which in broadest form explores the relationships between psychological phenomena and their social and cultural contexts. Some of the primary theoretical orientations in psychological anthropology follow more or less closely on traditional perspectives in psychology, but others diverge radically and claim a central and essential place for cultural content and process in trying to account for psychological functioning. Among the former are general behavioral theory (including many standard conceptualizations from developmental and social psychology and personality theory) , cognitive anthropology, evolutionary thought, and psychoanalytic approaches; and among the latter are cultural psychology, the closely related activity theory, and ethnopsychology.

General behavioral theory research in psychological anthropology has primarily involved attempts to refine and extend hypotheses and formulations established in the European American tradition. This type of research marks the one orientation often devoted to sets of programmatic studies or to studies with multiple society samples. In socialization and child development, for example, comparative inquiries have assessed the variability of ecocultural niches and parents’ cultural belief systems, and have endeavored to measure their effects on child health and developmental outcomes. Others have looked for and found regularities mirroring results from Western research, such as the more frequent expression of aggression among boys than girls, or the behavioral and psychological effects on males of early father absence. In social-psychological inquiry, the consistent and pervasive in-group favoritism discovered in Western samples has been confirmed cross-culturally, and the frequently found two-dimensional structure of social behavior labeled “status/solidarity” has been shown cross-culturally in parallel form among personality trait descriptors. Cognitive approaches also have often meshed with Western psychological research, as in the finding that on a worldwide basis, difficult-to-learn “disjunctive” kin terminologies for siblings occur in only 2% of societies.

Psychological-Evolutionary Anthropology

The evolutionary and psychoanalytic ideas pursued by psychological anthropologists (and by some psychologists) are largely outside the mainstream of psychological thought. A fundamental assumption in much psychological-evolutionary thinking is that specific traits and abilities reflect past not present adaptiveness, but that testable hypotheses can be constructed based on suppositions about early human adaptive problems. The resulting research questions relate to survival and reproduction issues, including genetic relatedness and preferential treatment, and differential male-female reproductive strategies. Although this research is usually well designed, and the findings consistent with hypotheses, often the same predictions could have been derived from other theoretical sources. A related area, biocultural inquiry, is interested in integration of physical and cultural dimensions, as in the consequences for child health of inevitable trade-offs between adult mating effort and parenting effort.

Psychoanalytic Anthropology

Psychoanalytic anthropology is wide ranging in its concerns: methodologically, in an argument for adoption of the “empathic method” in fieldwork, much as used in the clinical psychoanalytic interview; epistemically, in the claim that the anthropological material of description and interpretation is mutually constructed by psychoanalytic anthropologists and the people with whom they work; substantively. in the analysis of what are termed psychosocial adaptations (as in resolution of individual conflict by means of cultural institutions), or of Oedipal-type folktales, which are ubiquitous cross-culturally, yet appear in more disguised or repressed form in stratified societies than in simpler ones (Allen W. Johnson and Douglass Price-Williams. Oedipus Ubiquitous, Stanford. Calif. , 1996).

Cultural Psychology

A more radical orientation like cultural psychology argues that mind is content driven, that mind is variable across cultures because cultural forms are variable, and that mind cannot be separated from its specific culture-historical determinants. Activity theory likewise rejects the notion of the psychic unity of humankind, but places less emphasis on analysis of “mental representations” as revealed in language and discourse, and more on the grounding of concepts, both psychological and cultural, in socially organized activities. Both cultural psychology and activity theory are built upon early theorizing by Lev Vygotsky. Alexander Luria, and other European psychologists who took as fundamental the proposition that mental activity is inspired by practical social activity. This approach has been used to study decision making and problem solving in natural settings and to analyze cognitive processes like memory.

Ethnopsychology

The study of indigenous models of persons, selves, and experiences, ethnopsychology takes as problematic the Western psychology-based conceptions of these terms. It asserts, for example, that the concept of personality, so central to Western and social-scientific thought, is a culture-bound concept based in individual-centered theorizing, and that in some other societies the person descriptions refer almost entirely to interpersonal behavior. Similar arguments are made with respect to phenomena like emotions, the self, mental illness, and altered states of consciousness. Against these claims, there exists within psychological anthropology a set of counterpositions usually based upon the existence of human commonalities, that is, species-wide biopsychological regularities.

The Profession of Anthropology

As a profession, anthropology is relatively small, with the total number of active anthropologists worldwide at about 20.000, and more than half of them in the United States. During the second half of the twentieth century the profession grew markedly from tiny beginnings, and American academic programs in anthropology now turn out more than 400 Ph.D.s and 8 , 000 B.A. degrees annually compared with 22 and 352, respectively, in 1950. As with psychology, the majority of U.S. doctorates are now awarded to females (versus one third in the early 19 70s). Besides the gender shift, another important change in the profession is a movement away from the academic setting for employment. In the late 1990s, approximately one third of new U.S. Ph.D.s in anthropology took nonacademic jobs (in the private sector, government, museums, and research institutes), while in the 1970s only one eighth had done so.

Bibliography:

  • Bock, P. K. (Ed. ). (1994). Handbook of psychological anthropology. Westport. CT; Greenwood Press.
  • Coe, M. D. (1992). Breaking the Maya code. New York: Thames & Hudson.
  • Duranti, A. (1997). Linguistic anthropology. Cambridge. U.K.: Cambridge University Press.
  • Ember, C. R. & Ember, M. (1996). Anthropology (8th ed.) . Upper Saddle River. NJ: Prentice Hall.
  • Farmer, P. (1992). Aids and accusation: Haiti and the geography of blame. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures. New York: Basic Books.
  • Hutchins, E. (1995). Cognition in the wild. Cambridge. MA: MIT Press.
  • Levinson, D. & Ember, M. (Eds.). (1996). Encyclopedia of cultural anthropology (4 vols.). New York: Holt.
  • T., White, G. M., & Lutz, C. A. (Eds.). (1992). New directions in psychological anthropology. Cambridge. UK: Cambridge University Press.
  • Shore, B. (1996). Culture in mind. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Suarez-Orozco, M. M., Spindler, G., & Spindler, I. (Eds.). (1994). The making of psychological anthropology II. Ft. Worth. TX: Harcourt Brace.
  • Wolf, E. R. (1982). Europe and the people without history. Berkeley: University of California Press.
  • R., & Peterson. D. (1996). Demonic males: Apes and the origins of human violence. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

anthropology research paper ideas

IMAGES

  1. Anthropology ideas Research Paper Example

    anthropology research paper ideas

  2. 😂 Cultural anthropology research topics. Anthropology Essay Topics

    anthropology research paper ideas

  3. Anthropology Research Topics: 100+ Ideas

    anthropology research paper ideas

  4. Anthropology essay

    anthropology research paper ideas

  5. 140 Best Anthropology Research Topics to Focus On

    anthropology research paper ideas

  6. Writing for Anthropology

    anthropology research paper ideas

VIDEO

  1. Anthropology research Presentation

  2. Dark Anthropology Research & React Live Onison and Repzion

  3. Dark Anthropology Research & React Live Glitter and Lazers and Maybe April Lauren

  4. Research Paper ideas

  5. Dark Anthropology Research & React Live w/ Fat Aceptance, Health At Every Size, and other Randomness

  6. TOP 20 BEST RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR SCIENCE STUDENT IN 2024 #researchtopics#researchproject

COMMENTS

  1. List Of 110 Research Paper Topics & Ideas On Anthropology

    The Excellent List Of 110 Anthropology Research Paper Topics. Without further ado, here are 110 anthropology research paper topics for free! With 18 topics each from the six main subcategories of anthropology, you can't get it wrong! Physical Anthropology Research Paper Topics. Eugenics — its merits and demerits in the 21st-century world.

  2. 195 Leading Anthropology Topics For High Quality Papers

    Interesting Anthropology Topics. Investigating how religious beliefs impact the Hispanic cultures. A review of the evolution of sexual discrimination. The impact of culture on same sex marriages: A case study of LGBT community in France. A closer look at racism in modern societies.

  3. Top 300 Anthropology Research Topics

    Top 15 Research Topics On Visual Anthropology Areas of Study. Ethnographic Filmmaking and Storytelling. Visual Ethnography and Cultural Representation. Anthropology of Photography. Visual Arts and Cultural Identity. Media and Visual Culture in Anthropological Contexts. Visual Documentation of Rituals and Traditions.

  4. Anthropology Research Paper Topics

    Anthropology Research Paper Topics. This collection of anthropology research paper topics is aimed to provide students and researchers with a comprehensive list of topics within this vast field of study. Anthropology is a multidisciplinary field, covering a wide range of topics that include cultural practices, human evolution, language, and more.

  5. 140 Best Anthropology Research Topics to Focus On

    List of Anthropology Research Paper Topics. In this section, we have presented a list of 100+ outstanding anthropology research topic ideas in various areas such as cultural, ethnographic, medical, physical, and biological anthropology. Go through the list carefully and choose any persuasive idea that matches your university's research paper ...

  6. Anthropology Research Topics: 100+ Ideas

    Physical Anthropology Research Paper Topics. Physical anthropology is the study of human origins, evolution, and diversity. If you're interested in researching and writing about physical anthropology, then here are some interesting topic suggestions that you can consider: Genotype-environment correlation study: an overview

  7. 121+ Highly Informative Anthropology Research Topics

    121+ Highly Informative Anthropology Research Topics. Anthropology is a broad field of study about human beings, and it spans various subjects that deal with the past, present, and future. Curious students, those who want to become researchers, or just learners love this subject as there are numerous fascinating things to discuss.

  8. Anthropology

    Anthropology articles from across Nature Portfolio. Anthropology is the study of humans, their close relatives and their cultural environment. Subfields of anthropology deal with hominin evolution ...

  9. Topic: How to do Anthropological Research

    Developing a topic in a research area that you are not familiar with is a challenge. But, what you need to remember is that no matter what major you are studying, ultimately, all human activity has an impact on other human beings.A good place to start to pick a topic is to try to think how your field of study have an impact (positive or negative) on humans (indigenous people, minority groups ...

  10. Applied Anthropology Research Paper Topics

    Writing an anthropology research paper? This list of applied anthropology research paper topics provides some ideas for narrowing down your topic to a successful and manageable one. This page also explores the subject of applied anthropology. It was found to be most productive to do this from a historical perspective in order to see the formation of the discipline from its earliest, inchoate ...

  11. Ideas for your cultural anthropology research paper

    Cultural anthropology -- the study of human societies and cultures and their origins, history, variation, and development . . . the comparative study of human culture in all aspects including social structure, language, law, politics, religion, magic, art, and technology. Some suggested topics for your paper: Note-- these instructions are for students taking the course during a regular ...

  12. Anthropology: Developing Topics & Research Questions

    When the scope of your paper is too big, it's hard to dig through information and to write a paper wit any depth. The goal of most research papers in college is to seek a possible answer to a particular questions related to a topic. A research question, when not too broad or too narrow, helps guide and focus your paper.

  13. 100 Anthropology Essay Topics for College Students

    Topics in Cultural Anthropology. The science of social behavior and patterns, and also why and how they vary in modern civilizations, is referred to as cultural ethnography. Ethnohistory, ethnography, and cross-cultural studies are examples of cultural anthropological study subjects. Here is a list of probable paper topics to consider.

  14. Social anthropology

    Social anthropology is the subdiscipline of anthropology that investigates the cultural properties of human societies. Topics include cultural norms, morals, laws and customs, and there is a ...

  15. PDF A Student's Guide to Reading and Writing in Social Anthropology

    major forms of publication in social anthropology that you are likely to encounter in your courses and suggest some strategies for reading them more effectively. essays Essays on a single subject are one of the primary vehicles through which scholars present their research and ideas to the academic community, add-

  16. Research Guides: Anthropology How To: Choosing and Developing a Topic

    If you already have a topic, discuss your ideas with them. Their comments and questions can help you focus your ideas and reveal assumptions that may be holding you back. Finally, watch this brief video from NC State on choosing a research topic, Picking Your Topic IS Research!. It shows how topic development and research are intertwined.

  17. Cultural Anthropology Research Paper Topics

    Cultural anthropology is the study of human patterns of thought and behavior, and how and why these patterns differ, in contemporary societies. Cultural anthropology is sometimes called social anthropology, sociocultural anthropology, or ethnology. Cultural anthropology also includes pursuits such as ethnography, ethnohistory, and cross ...

  18. 123 Best Anthropology Research Paper Topics Today

    Here are some great medical anthropology research paper topics for you to consider. The origin of Minamata disease and its impacts on Japanese populations. A deeper look into the effects of radioactivity implications on populations affected by the Chernobyl Disaster of 1986. The evolution of birds. Ethnozoology concepts applications in medicine.

  19. Anthropology

    Key resources include freely accessible journals, databases, and repositories that provide comprehensive research across the various subfields of anthropology. This page also emphasizes collaborative opportunities, encouraging projects that connect researchers and communities to deepen our understanding of human cultures and societies.

  20. Biological Anthropology Research Paper Topics

    This list of biological anthropology research paper topics provides some ideas for narrowing down your topic to a successful and manageable one. This page also explores the subject of biological anthropology. Browse other anthropology research paper topics for more inspiration.

  21. 79 Medical Anthropology Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

    Medical Anthropology: Religious, Spiritual and Magical Beliefs. This refers to the way of the universe, the way of humans, the way of nature, and finally transcends to the way to unite together in the essential harmony of all organisms. Medical Anthropology.

  22. Sociology and Anthropology Research Paper Topics

    In the 1940s and early 1950s, the focus of social anthropology changed to the study of social structure, the relationship between groups. Major works of this period were The Nuer (1940), by E. E. Evans-Pritchard, and African Political Systems (1940), which was influenced by classification systems by Lewis Henry Morgan and Henry Maine.

  23. Psychology and Anthropology Research Paper Topics

    This list of psychology and anthropology research paper topics provides some ideas for narrowing down your topic to a successful and manageable one. This page also explores the connection between the disciplines of psychology and anthropology. Browse other anthropology research paper topics for more inspiration.