Studiegids

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Data analysis

Vak
2018-2019

Admission requirements

45 ec of the BA1 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 data.
After attending the lecture/workgroups and practicals, you should be able to assess which techniques should be applied in a specific archaeological research question.

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

Course objectives

  • Basic knowledge of (spatial) statistical techniques;

  • Ability to 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 archaeological conclusions.

Timetable

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

Mode of instruction

  • Lecture/workgroups with compulsory attendance;

  • Computer practicals with compulsory attendance;

  • Assignments during practicals in which use is made of data from the Material Studies 2 practicals.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 14 hours of lectures and workgroups (1 ec);

  • 16 hours of computer practicals (1 ec);

  • 160 pages of literature (1.2 ec);

  • Assessment (2.8 ec).

Assessment method

  • Open-book examination;

  • Compulsory attendance during lectures/workgroups.

Examination grades only apply if the compulsory 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 via uSis is mandatory.

  • The Administration Office will register all BA1 students for their tutorials (not lectures; register via uSis!).

  • BA2, BA3, MA/MSc and RMA/RMSc students are required to register for all lectures and tutorials well in time.

  • The Administration Office registers all students for their exams, students are not required to do this in uSis.

Contact

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

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.