Module ANTH4108: Professional and Quantitative Skills in Anthropology

Department: Anthropology

ANTH4108: Professional and Quantitative Skills in Anthropology

Prerequisites

• ANTH 2031 - Methods and Analysis 2015/16 ONLY - ANTH 2031 Methods & Explanations OR HUSS 2101 Methods & Analysis I

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• Cannot be taken with ANTH 4138 Theory and Methods in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology, ANTH4048 Methods in Anthropology, ANTH 4098 Professional and Qualitative Skills in Anthropology

Aims

• The aim of this module is to provide students with generic skills needed by all anthropologists for research as well as to provide students with quantitative research skills that are transferable to future specialist careers in all sectors. The module aims to help students translate their anthropology training into skills for employment and will develop students' skills in statistical analysis using datasets from anthropological research. Students will learn a range of statistical techniques for use in their research. In addition, they will become proficient in the use of SPSS for statistical methods.

Content

• Advanced information and retrieval management skills.
• Searching and applying for academic funding.
• Public involvement in research.
• Academic conferences, presentations, and posters.
• Public communication of anthropology.
• Academic publishing.
• Statistical analysis in anthropology.
• Selling anthropology and skills: interviews and cvs.
• Dealing with quantitative data.
• Organising data for analysis.
• Selecting an appropriate statistical test.
• Running statistical tests using SPSS.
• Interpreting and reporting statistical results.

Learning Outcomes

• Students should have received sufficient practical and theoretical training to enable them to continue to PhD level research or carry out applied anthropological employment in a variety of contexts.
• Students should understand a range of subject-specific quantitative methods used in Anthropology.

• Students should be able to synthesise critically evaluate and present complex material, including data, models and theoretical arguments to academic audiences.
• Students should be able to analyse, and present the results from, complex quantitative data.
• Students should be able to express themselves in writing clearly and concisely on technical topics.
• Students should be able to use computer software for analysis and presentation of data.
• Students should be able to carry out basic quantitative analysis and to represent data effectively.

• Communication: Students should be able to express themselves clearly and concisely on technical topics, and explain why particular issues are important and/or controversial.
• Students should become fluent at reading and understanding statistical reports.
• Students should be able to engage with applied issues and communicate anthropological issues to a public audience.
• Statistical analysis: Students should be able to set out data for analysis and select appropriate statistical tests for testing their own, specific hypotheses.
• Information technology: Students should be able to use computer software (SPSS) for analysis and presentation of data.
• Data analysis: Students should be able to carry out qualitative analysis, and to represent data effectively.

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

• Lectures and seminars per nature of topics for professional skills. Combined lectures and practicals for quantitative methods. Lectures provide students with a coherent review of professional attributes, transferable and research skills, and the relevant background to the datasets they will be asked to analyse. Practical elements offer students the opportunity to implement specific quantitative methods under the supervision of a tutor. Students will be given guided step-by-step instruction in carrying out tasks on a computer; this will be followed by less guided, but still supervised, tasks which help consolidate students understanding of the skills and the relevance to anthropological research.
• Assessment: Summative portfolio (5 assignments from 8) for anthropological and professional skills, summative 3000 word research project for quantitative methods.
• Students will be provided with formative feedback prior to submitting their summative assignment for professional skills, as well as formative feedback during practical sessions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Written feedback on weekly assignments and feedback in practical classes for quantitative skills.

■ 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