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Research Design in Archaeology

Module description

Research – the acquisition of new knowledge - is one of the most personally fulfilling aspects of academia, and in life more generally. To be a successful researcher requires an understanding of the entire research process: beginning with idea generation and networking/team building, through the design of coherent, ethical and risk-assessed projects/funding applications, to collaborative working in equitable partnerships in order to generate data. All of this comes before results can be synthesised, analysed, visualised, interpreted and presented. Presentation itself is a vital part of the research process, and there are many audiences that require different kinds of engagement. 

This module will provide you with understanding of the research process through first-hand experience.  The module takes an active learning approach where, in addition to mini-lectures, discussions and research exercises, the class will work together on a number of activities, including the organisation and running of a Departmental Conference (physical or virtual). During classes you will work on a research portfolio that you will tailor to your own interests and skill development needs. By the end of the module, you will have gained new experiences that will benefit your CV whilst advancing your own research. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aim of this module is to:

• Provide you with an understanding of the different approaches to archaeology and how results interdigitate with other disciplinary fields.
• Provide you with first-hand experience of the research process, from idea inception to results dissemination.
• Provide knowledge of issues of reliability, validity and ethics in archaeological research.
• Develop collaborative and organisational skills.
• Enhance confidence in research participation, leadership and communication.
• Develop data analysis and interpretation skills
• Advance the development and impact of your own research projects.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of a wide range of approaches to archaeological research that are required for the specific tasks of the module
• 2. Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation of practical issues relevant to the design of archaeological projects that are required for the specific tasks set in the module

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Demonstrate familiarity with specific skills relating to data management and practice in archaeological research
• 4. Show familiarity with a wide range of research design strategies in the discipline, and discern their applicability in a variety of contexts

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve common goals
• 6. Demonstrate skills in summarising complex arguments succinctly
• 7. Design and plan projects
• 8. Understand and demonstrate the importance of visual presentation
• 9. Demonstrate ability to communicate variously with diverse audiences

Syllabus plan

Whilst the content may vary from year to year, it is envisioned that it will cover some or all of the following topics:
• Approaches to archaeology and interdisciplinary research
• Experimental archaeology
• Ethics and risk assessment in archaeological research
• Managing collaborative working
• Research design and funding proposals (including CVs)
• Managing and analysing datasets
• Visualising evidence (e.g. graphic design and photography)
• Conference organisation and presentation
• Journals, article writing and submission processes.
• Public engagement and research dissemination

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 50%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 50%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• Alley, M. 1996: The Craft of Scientific Writing. New York: Springer-Verlag
• Bentley, A., H. Maschner & C. Chippindale. 2008. Handbook of Archaeological Theories. Altamira Press
• Briscoe, M.H. 1996: Preparing Scientific Illustrations: A Guide to better posters, presentations and publications. New York: Springer-Verlag.
• Davis, M. 1997: Scientific Papers and Presentations. London: Academic Press
• Ferguson, J. 2010. Designing Experimental Research in Archaeology: Examining Technology Through Production and Use. U Colorado Press.
• Johnson, M. 2010. Archaeological Theory: An Introduction (2nd ed.). Wiley-Blackwell.
• O’Leary, Z. 2013. The Essential Guide to doing your Research Project. Sage
• Zimmerman, L, K. Vitelli, J. Hollowell-Zimmer. 2003 Ethical Issues in Archaeology. Altamira press

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=11106

Key words search

Archaeology, research design