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ANTH2187: Research Project Design

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Type	Tied
Level	2
Credits	10
Availability	Available in 2023/24
Module Cap	None.
Location	Durham
Department	Anthropology

Prerequisites

Doing Anthropological Research (ANTH1101) or a relevant methods module in another department.

Corequisites

Biology, Culture and Society (ANTH2207) OR Reading Ethnography (ANTH2197) OR Debating Anthropology and Archaeology (ANTH2121)

Excluded Combinations of Modules

None.

Aims

To build upon previous methods training by providing the skills necessary to develop independent dissertation projects.

Content

The module prepares students for independent dissertation research through a series of lectures and practical sessions around choosing a research topic, identifying literature, selecting appropriate methods and ethical considerations.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

Understanding of the research process in anthropology and related disciplines, including the collection and manipulation of data, research design, analysis of literature, and the relationships between data and argument.
Understanding of research ethics and data management in anthropology and related disciplines.
Integrating data, approaches and literature from different disciplines, including social anthropology, biological anthropology and archaeology.

Subject-specific Skills:

Preparing a dissertation research proposal in anthropology (including identifying research questions, identifying and engaging critically with literature, selecting appropriate research methods and preparing and ethics application).
Conducting literature searches and developing library research skills.
Developing qualitative and quantitative research skills.

Key Skills:

Proposal writing skills.
Preparing an ethics application and applying ethical guidelines in research.
Planning and time management.
Carrying out independent research.

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

Hour-long lectures covering different aspects of the research process, from choosing a topic, project design, ethics and data management, and literature searches to data analysis interpretation, writing skills and developing arguments. Most lectures will be live while some may be pre-recorded.
Workshop will provide students will the opportunity to develop their ethics application in a small group with support from an experienced tutor.
Students will develop their ideas with a proposal supervisor via consultations.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total	Monitored
Lectures	5	Epiphany term	1 hour	5
Workshop	1	Epiphany term	1 hour	1	Yes
Consultations with supervisor	4	Epiphany and Easter term	30 minutes	2	Yes
Preparation and Reading				92
Total				100

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework		Component Weighting: 100%
Element	Length / Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Dissertation proposal including ethics application	2500 words	100	Yes

Formative Assessment

Preliminary research proposal (750 words).

More information

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