Module ANTH2031: METHODS AND EXPLANATIONS

Department: Anthropology

ANTH2031: METHODS AND EXPLANATIONS

Prerequisites

• Human Origins and Diversity (ANTH1071) AND People and Cultures (ANTH1061).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To provide a grounding in research methods in both biological and sociocultural anthropology.
• To enable students to appreciate the relationship of data to anthropological theory.
• To enable students to experience the process of collecting and analysing data, and creating anthropological knowledge.

Content

• Biological Anthropology: This section will include techniques in biological anthropology.
• Students will be introduced to the process of morphological and behavioural data collection, the types of quantitative analysis that are applicable to these data and the methods of inference used to interpret the results in terms of theory.
• Sociocultural Anthropology: Research methods in sociocultural anthropology will be described and examined with relation to explanation, and the relationship between data and theory.
• The techniques covered will concentrate on participant-observation and its attendant skills.
• The module as a whole provides students with a baseline understanding of method and theory that will both aid in the understanding of material presented in anthropology courses in the third year, and offers practical, hands-on preparation for the dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

• Factual Material: Understand the methods used in ethnographic field studies.
• Aware of the vocabulary of research methods in sociocultural and biological anthropology.

• Appreciate cultural relativity and its implications.
• Know about basic biological data collection techniques.
• Relate explanatory theories to field techniques.
• Observe, record and give an account of various aspects of human and non-human primate behaviour.
• Design, use and evaluate various research/study techniques (e.g. questionnaires, interviews, experiments, measurement).
• Apply the hypothetico-deductive method to biological anthropology problems.
• Apply basic statistical and numerical skills to biological data.
• Become familiar with quantitative data collection and analysis, including ability to use some equipment.

• Become familiar with basic statistical techniques.
• Assess the value and limits of data and make critical judgements of the merits of particular arguments, including ability to reason critically and challenge received conclusions about topics and controversies.
• Apply ethical guidelines in research.
• Interpret both qualitative and quantitative data.
• Plan, undertake and report on fieldwork-based enquiries.
• Use some information technology and associated computational tools and packages.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Students are expected to attend the fortnightly lectures and they are required to attend the fortnightly one-hour practicals.
• 50% of the summative assessment mark will be based on a 3000 word file composed of five methodological exercises (including three biological and two social methodologies).
• 50% of the mark will be derived from a 3,000 word essay on the nature of anthropological knowledge.
• Formative Assessment is based on submitted essay plans.
• Students are divided into small research groups and expected to undertake research outside class time.
• They are also expected to prepare relevant readings and materials for the practical sessions and group discussions.
• During each practical session there is discussion of the research projects being undertaken by students.
• This provides a cumulative evaluation and guide to progress.
• Each group also makes a joint presentation on the research project they have done, prior to submitting the journal and report required for summative assessment.
• Teaching is via lectures, practicals and tutorials.
• Lectures provide a traditional method of communicating not only fact but clear understandings of process and the relationship between field methods.
• They are used for the primary delivery of material because they allow clear transmission of information in an active learning environment where students can question and seek clarification.
• For anthropology students this medium cannot simply be replaced by texts or websites, though both are important adjuncts.
• Practicals.
• The rationale for this approach is that field methods become familiar to students and this familiarity helps them to proceed with confidence towards level 3.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Essay Plan. During each practical session there is discussion of the research projects being undertaken by students. This provides a cumulative evaluation and guide to progress. Each group also makes a joint presentation on the research project they have done, prior to submitting the journal and report required for summative assessment.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University