Studiegids

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Data analysis

Vak
2017-2018

Admission requirements

Propedeuse (first year) Archaeology obtained.

Description

The topic of Data Analysis is intended to impart to the students the basic principles of arithmetical and statistical techniques for the analysis of archaeological finds. After attending the lectures and practicals, you are able to assess which technique should be applied in a certain archaeological situation.

Data analysis serves as a stepping stone to the handling of statistical techniques, which are applied to many archaeological research questions.
The knowledge and practical experience may be used both in you own research in the context of writing papers, and in the assessment of the scientific literature.

Course objectives

  • Basic knowledge of (spatial) statistical techniques;

  • Understand and assess the subject literature;

  • Ability to apply techniques in one’s own research;

  • Insight into the advantages and disadvantages of the various techniques for the analysis of archaeological data;

  • Insight into the value of a statistical technique for the archaeological conclusions.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the BA2 time schedule.

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures/tutorial;

  • Practicals with mandatory attendance;

  • Assignments during practicals in which use is made of data from practical Material studies 2.

Course load

The course load will be distrbuted as follows:

  • 14 hours of lectures (1 ec);

  • 16 hours of practical sessions (1 ec);

  • 160 pages of literature (1.2 ec);

  • Assignment (2.8 ec).

Assessment method

  • Open book test;

  • Mandatory attendance during lectures/workgroup assignments.

Note: Test marks only apply if the mandatory practicals have been attended.

All exam dates (exams, re-sits, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the BA2 examination schedule.

Reading list

M. Fletcher & G.R. Lock, Digging Numbers, Elementary Statistics for Archaeologists. Oxford: Oxford University Committee for Archaeology (2005).

Registration

Registration for the course or the exam is not required.

Contact

For more information about this course, please contact drs. M. Wansleeben.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance for the practicals only.