This course will provide students with an introduction to the principles by which archaeological projects are devised and executed. It will deal with the issues of finding a topic to research, defining its scope and limitations, developing a research bibliography and data inventory, devising a methodology by which the topic becomes a research question, and elaborating a research design. Quantitative skills are also a focus. The course content is delivered in intensive mode and/or as flexible delivery. All lectures will be available in online format.

Students develop skills for conceptualizing, planning and arranging their research. Students will also acquire an understanding of and skills in the quantitative analysis of data in the context of archaeological research.

Development of research design capacity is assessed with a 3,000 word research proposal (50%), while the development of quantitative analysis skills is evaluated with four short take home tests (50%).

The workload will include 30 contact hours (taught through online and/or intensive delivery of lectures and workshops) plus the expectation of a further 90 hours of independent study.

Admission to the Masters degree.

A background in archaeology is assumed but no prior experience in independent archaeological research is required.

Drennan, R. 2010 Statistics for Archaeologists: A Common Sense Approach. Springer; 2nd ed. edition

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