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Top-down and bottom-up research in biodemography

Author

Listed:
  • Hillard Kaplan

    (University of New Mexico)

  • Michael Gurven

    (University of California, Santa Barbara)

Abstract

The most efficient way to make scientific progress in biodemography is to encourage bi-directional exchange between ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ research. This will entail exchange along the continuum of research from microscopic intracellular processes to population-level consequences. In addition, our understanding of the biology of aging and its demographic consequences will be enriched by mutual influence between studies of mechanistic or ‘proximate’ causal processes and investigations of the evolutionary processes underlying the same phenomena. Researchers working at these different levels of explanation could be more productive if they were informed by research at other levels and interacted with scientists with complementary expertise. Such collaborations could be encouraged both through interdisciplinary workshops, research projects, program projects and training programs.

Suggested Citation

  • Hillard Kaplan & Michael Gurven, 2008. "Top-down and bottom-up research in biodemography," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 19(44), pages 1587-1602.
  • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:19:y:2008:i:44
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2008.19.44
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Michael Gurven & Hillard Kaplan, 2007. "Longevity Among Hunter‐ Gatherers: A Cross‐Cultural Examination," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 33(2), pages 321-365, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Philip Kreager, 2009. "Darwin and Lotka," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 21(16), pages 469-502.
    2. Corey Sparks, 2009. "An application of the variable-r method to subpopulation growth rates in a 19th century agricultural population," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 21(2), pages 23-64.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    biodemography; evolution; life history; aging;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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