ARCH3212 Archaeological Research Methods

2016

4.5

1 Admission into BARCH-Bachelor of Archaeology
1a Admission into BA-Bachelor of Arts
1b Admission into BAGIS-Bachelor of Applied Geographical Information Systems
1c Admission into BJS-Bachelor of Justice and Society
1d Admission into BEDECBA-Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood), Bachelor of Arts
2 9 units of second level ARCH topics
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d) and 2)

ARCH8512 has been successfully completed

This topic provides basic training in archaeological research practice, critical thinking and writing skills. It will introduce students to what constitutes the research process in archaeology and how it can be conducted thoroughly and well. The topic explores how archaeological knowledge is constructed, how the research process operates, how to design research, locate and evaluate data sources, undertake preliminary data analysis, and communicate the results of research. As part of their assessment, students will devise a research project, undertake database searches, critically evaluate literature, produce a project outline, and evaluate the process and bases of their research.

This topic aims to:

• introduce student to the basics of what constitutes good archaeological research practice

• improve students' existing research skills and their ability to locate and identify sources appropriate to an archaeological study

• improve students' ability critically to evaluate literature and construct, test and defend an argument

On completion of this topic students will be able to:

• undertake independent research

• critically assess literature relating to archaeology

• construct, test and defend an argument

• formulate a feasible research question and design a research project to answer it