Data Collection Methods

In 2012, fieldwork was conducted in two district: Mustang and Gorkha. The Mustang Research Team traveled to 31 different villages and the Gorkha Research Team traveled to 17 different villages. 

Structured interviews collected detailed data on factors that indirectly or directly influence fertility, reproductive history and child survival.  Noninvasive measurements collected hemoglobin concentration, pulse, and percent of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin. DNA was extracted from saliva samples and genotyped for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The results connect a severe environmental stress, biological variation, genetic variation and reproductive success to make an integrated case for natural selection operating in the contemporary Tibetan population.