As an introduction to the process of planning, conducting and writing up original research in archaeology, the first part of this course provides students with:
• an understanding of how to formulate archaeological research questions and how to develop a research design
• a review of archaeological study methods and practical techniques of data collection
• an understanding of the ethical issues raised by archaeological research
• advanced library research skills
• an appreciation of the alternative styles of writing for the presentation of archaeological research
• an understanding of techniques of drafting and editing large pieces of writing
• knowledge of how to prepare abstracts, bibliographies and footnotes
• an introduction to the peer-review process and the steps that lead from writing to publication.
The second part of this course provides students with supervision in the development of an original archaeological research project. By the end of the course, students will have:
• developed an archaeological research project with an original question, which either involves the collection and analysis of original material or a fresh theoretical approach to older data
• established a timeline and methodology for the completion of their research project
• considered the possible ethical and other practical implications of their research
• a good understanding of the literature relevant to comparable projects and that situates the project in its methodological and theoretical context.
Content: This course reviews the range of archaeological study methods and introduces students to the process of archaeological research design. The course covers techniques for advanced library research, writing and editing longer pieces of work, preparing abstracts and bibliographies, and assessing the ethical and other practical issues involved in original research. Students will receive supervision in the development of an original archaeological research project, and will prepare a full research proposal, accompanied by an annotated bibliography, that places the proposed research in its archaeological, methodological and theoretical context and sets out and justifies how the research is to be undertaken, and according to what programme of work.
