Tutor profile: Jenny C.

What is the importance of keywords in searching for research resources?

Using the right keywords will make all the difference in finding the research you need. Keywords will initially come from your research topic, and as you try out different search terms it is important to note which ones return good results. If you are getting too many results and many don’t seem relevant, then you need to adjust or limit your search terms. If you are not getting enough results, try different terminology for the same topics. Keeping good notes as you progress also means you won’t duplicate searches, and learning from your search results will save you time as you hone your skills.

What is the significance of the discovery at Lascaux?

The discovery in 1940 of elaborate and extensive prehistoric paintings in the Lascaux cave complex in France has been important in the modern discussion of prehistoric society and a broader understanding of world history. Thousands of Paleolithic paintings of bulls, horses, bison, stags, and other animals, as well as a human figure and abstract symbols, cover the walls and ceilings of the cave structures. It is estimated that the paintings are 17,000 years old, and there is ongoing debate about their purpose and context of their creation, and whether there is ritual significance in the scenes.

What are the main differences between cultural anthropology and biological anthropology?

Cultural anthropology studies people as members of communities, considering how people understand the world, how their beliefs and behaviors impact their cultural system and how those interconnections vary. Fieldwork is a common methodology to allow for participant observation of the cultures they study. Biological anthropology focuses on human adaptations to the environment, interconnections of biology, disease and culture, and the evolution of humans from animals and human ancestors. Scientific research and data analysis, often including lab research, is the primary methodological approach.