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Anthropology/importance of statictis in anthropology

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Expert: - 1/27/2012


Question
hello, i want to know about the uses and importance of statistics in anthropology. why do we the students of anthropology study stat in anthropology?
i could not find the answer to any book or material. if you could help me finding this answer along with the sources and references then it would be a great help!

Answer
All sciences use statistics.  In archaeology, one uses statistics to describe variation in the quantities and properties of the things we find and to test for the significance of differences among data sets.
My students use Drennan's book, Statistics for Archaeologists, but there are many other references out there.  David Hurst Thomas's Refiguring Anthropology is a good one, too.
Cheers,
John Shea

Anthropology

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John Shea

Expertise

Questions about Old World prehistoric archaeology (especially Stone Age) of Europe, Africa, and Western Asia, prehistoric human and hominid behavior, primitive technology, origin of modern humans, extinction of the Neandertals.

Experience

>20 years as a professional anthropologist based at a research university.

Publications
Journal of Field Archaeology, Journal of Archaeological Science, Lithic Technology, Evolutionary Anthropology, Current Anthropology, Mitekufat HaEven (Journal of the Israel Prehistoric Society), Paléorient, Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan, American Anthropologist, Geoarchaeology.

Education/Credentials
Ph.D (Anthropology) Harvard University, 1991.
BA (Archaeology) Boston University, 1982.

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