Module ANTH1101: Doing Anthropological Research

Department: Anthropology

ANTH1101: Doing Anthropological Research

Tied To

• B991: Health and Human Sciences
• CFG0: Natural Sciences
• L601: Anthropology
• L602: Anthropology
• LA01: Liberal Arts
• LF64: Anthropology and Archaeology
• LL36: Anthropology and Sociology
• LMV0: Combined Honours in Social Sciences

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• To provide a grounding in scientific and ethnographic research methods as used in both biological and sociocultural anthropology respectively.
• 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.
• To prepare students for fieldwork, and allow them to develop academic and transferable skills relevant to tertiary-level learning and employment.

Content

• Scientific methods: an introduction to quantitative research methods typically used in biological/evolutionary and some medical anthropology, including. an introduction to hypothesis testing, types of quantitative data and the process of quantitative data analysis and interpretation.
• Ethnographic methods: an introduction to qualitative research methods typically used in sociocultural anthropology and some medical anthropology, concentrating on participant-observation and its attendant skills
• The module as a whole provides students with a baseline understanding of anthropological methods and theory that will both aid in the understanding of material presented in other anthropology modules, and offers practical, hands-on preparation for the field course and research dissertation.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand the methods used across the breadth of anthropological research, including both qualitative and quantitative techniques
• Awareness of the relationship between anthropological theory and methods
• Awareness of both the differences and commonalities in methods across the sub-fields of anthropology
• Awareness of how anthropological research methods translate into field settings.

• Appreciate cultural relativity and its implications for anthropological research
• Ability to use and critically evaluate key anthropological research techniques
• Ability to interpret and write up anthropological research findings appropriately
• Appreciate the importance of appropriate conduct and ethical practice in anthropological research, including in field settings

• Ability to use a range of key quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Ability to interpret and critically evaluate research findings, including understanding the limits of data
• Ability to apply ethical guidelines and risk assessment in research
• Ability to design, carry out and write up research projects

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

• Students are expected to attend lectures, workshops and practicals.
• 50% of the summative assessment mark will be based on a 2,000 word report using quantitative methods and analysis.
• 50% of the mark will be derived from a 2,000 word research methods portfolio comprising 1) a written account of an observation exercise, 2) a written account of an interview exercise, and 3) an interview transcript.
• Formative Assessment is based on submitted essay plans, self-marked worksheets and formative quizzes.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is based on draft assessment plans, self-marked worksheets, formative quizzes and verbal feedback in class.