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Designing Archaeological Research

Vak
2019-2020

Year

Bachelor year 3.

Admission requirements

Agreement on the research topic, signed by student and supervisor(s).

Description

The bachelor thesis concerns a small, problem-oriented research on an archaeological topic. The goal of this course is to equip you with the tools to develop and design the research and answer the research questions.

The course answers two questions. First, how do I develop a research question? This concerns the use of literature review to identify important and interesting issues and develop them into feasible research questions that can actually be answered.
The second question is: how do I collect, arrange, and analyse the information? This part concerns the selection of a relevant approach and methodology, qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis, and essential skills for data presentation.
At the end of the course you will have formulated a clear research question, based on a thorough literature review, as well as a methodology and realistic planning.

Set-up of the course

Bi-weekly meetings consisting of lectures and/or tutorials.

Course objectives

After the course, the student is able to:

  • Set up a research project;

  • Formulate the research problem using literature review;

  • Formulate clear and unambiguous research questions;

  • Formulate an approach and methodology to effectively answer the research questions;

  • Make a realistic planning;

  • Reflect on scientific integrity and archaeological ethics

The student acquired skills to:

  • Find and select relevant scientific information using library search options, Google Scholar, Web of Science etc.;

  • Create and order bibliographic information using Mendeley, EndNote or other tools;

  • Describe and analyse data using basic statistics;

  • Present research both oral and in writing.

Timetable

Course schedule details can be found in the BA3 time schedule.

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures;

  • Tutorial.

Course load

The course load will be distributed as follows:

  • 28 hours of lectures and tutorials (1 ec);

  • Assignments (3 ec);

  • Assessment (1 ec).

Assessment method

  • Written assignments (60%);

  • Pitch (20%);

  • Statistics (practical) test (20%).

There will be an averaged grade, partial results must be at least a 5,0.
The written assignments include an annotated bibliography, a research question with academic justification, a summary of the methodology, and a reflection on relevant ethical issues.
All parts can be retaken.

All exam dates (exams, retakes, paper deadlines etc.) can be found in the BA3 examination schedule.
Deadlines for assignments are included in the course syllabus.

Reading list

To be published on Brightspace.

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 dr. B.S. Düring.

Remarks

Compulsory attendance.