Unit information: Research Methods in Anthropology in 2023/24

Unit name	Research Methods in Anthropology
Unit code	ARCHM0080
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Dr. Tantam
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	Department of Anthropology and Archaeology
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit is designed to introduce anthropological research design and data analysis using qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. Sessions on anthropological methods will include ethnographic, reflexive and visual methods, as well as survey, interview and focus-group design. Sessions on data and analyses, will include qualitative techniques, statistical analyses and hypothesis testing. Sessions on research ethical and governance procedures, will consider the rights of research participants, as well as issues of confidentiality and legality. By the end of this unit students will be able to design their own anthropological research project, critically evaluate the research practice, data and interpretation of others, and conduct their own analyses.

Aims:

• To show students how to translate focused research questions into manageable and ethical research projects.
• To familiarise students with the broad ranges of research techniques available to social scientists (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed), and their applicability to different research questions.
• To provide practical training in data gathering, handling, and analysis in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods.
• To encourage an enquiring and critical approach to data analysis and interpretation.

Your learning on this unit

1. Awareness of the principles of research design in anthropology using a variety of methodological approaches.
2. Capacity to develop a manageable research project while adhering to institutional and anthropological standards of ethics.
3. Awareness of the range of methods (qualitative, quantitative, and mixed) available to social scientists and the strengths and limits of each approach.
4. Ability to apply the principles of probability and significance testing in gathering, analysis, and critical interpretation of quantitative data.
5. Ability to use ethnographic/reflexive or other related techniques to gather, analyse and critically interpret qualitative data.

How you will learn

Weekly lectures and practicals, supported by self-direct activities.

How you will be assessed

1. Critical Analysis of anthropological work (2500 words, 50%) ILOs 3-5

2. Research Design (maximum 2500 words, 50%). Students will be asked to design a project which will incorporate identifying a research question, aims and objectives, methodology (including ethical issues raised), and rationale for chosen methodology. ILOs 1-3.

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. ARCHM0080).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.