Toward New Directions in Human Biology: A Roadmap for Anthropological Causal Inference With Observational Data.

Area of Science:

• Human Biology
• Anthropology
• Causal Inference

Background:

• Human biologists study variation shaped by cultural, environmental, and biological forces.
• Current observational causal inference methods are underutilized in human biology.
• Biocultural synthesis emphasizes integrating diverse factors influencing human variation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline a structured roadmap for causal inference in human biology.
• To integrate contemporary causal inference approaches into the field.
• To enhance the understanding of human variation through biocultural synthesis.

Main Methods:

• Theory development and definition of causal questions and estimands.
• Utilizing directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to clarify assumptions.
• Evaluating identification criteria before statistical analysis.

Main Results:

• A flexible framework for causal inference in human biology is proposed.
• The framework spans interventionist and realized causal inference traditions.
• It promotes transparency, coherence, and integration of biocultural principles.

Conclusions:

• The proposed framework offers a structured yet flexible approach to causal inference in human biology.
• It encourages the integration of diverse forces shaping human variation.
• This work advances anthropological causal inference by emphasizing epistemological commitments.