Formulating Research Projects Involving Human Remains

Bioarchaeology projects need to consider a full range of issues involved in carrying out a project. The legal aspects need to be attended to prior to designing the research to see if there are any caveats or conditions under which some research might be deemed unacceptable (such as destructive analytical techniques). Tribal authorities should be consulted and invited to participate in the project in situations where collaboration is desired. In conducting research, bioarchaeologists generally start with an interest that they have in answering a question or explaining an aspect of human behavior. Following a research strategy that includes (1) a thorough literature search, (2) framing a question that can be answered with the data, and (3) infusing the research project with a theoretical perspective can produce studies that are both integrated and engaged with important issues. In this way, bioarchaeological research will be of interest to a broad audience.