ANTH 4009 - Research Methods in Anthropology

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2022

This course will provide Honours students with a strong foundation in the conceptualisation and operationalisation of research, how to design a research project and 'hands-on' skills in the utilisation of different research methods in Anthropology. Students will be exposed to a wide range of ethnographic research methods and will learn key principles of research design and implementation. Some topics that will be covered in detail include participation observation, interviewing, case study analysis, focus groups and analysing and presenting data. Intellectual and methodological debates will be discussed in order to assist students to develop informed opinions and a critical appreciation for other's research. The imperative for ethical research practice will be presented. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and ability to undertake methodologically sound, original research projects (their Honours thesis project) and will develop a set of transferable workplace skills.

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Course Details

Course Code	ANTH 4009
Course	Research Methods in Anthropology
Coordinating Unit	Anthropology and Development Studies
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	6
Contact	Up to 3 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	Completed Bachelor Degree with a Major in Anthropology at a Distinction average
Restrictions	Students enrolled in ANTH Honours program
Assessment	Literature Review (50%), Critical Evaluation Essay (50%)

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Dianne Rodger

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1. Identify the main research designs, theories, methods and forms of analysis used in the social sciences.
2. Demonstrate an ability to identify, analyse and synthesise literature related to a research question.
3. Critically analyse and demonstrate an ability to formulate viable research questions.
4. Demonstrate an understanding and ability to undertake the range of tasks necessary to completing a research project.
5. Identify and engage with the range of ethical issues involved in the conduct of a research project.
6. Show an understanding of cross-cultural contexts and the nuances/implications of cross-cultural research.
7. Work within a team and use interpersonal skills to completed tasks.
8. Demonstrate skills in using online data bases and software.
9. Demonstrate high level written and verbal communication skills.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.	1, 2,3, 4, 8
Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.	3, 4
Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.	7, 9
Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.	7, 9
Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.	5, 6
Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.	6, 9

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

No information currently available.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

WORKLOAD – STRUCTURED LEARNING TOTAL HOURS
12 x 3-hour seminar 36

TOTAL = 36

WORKLOAD – SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING TOTAL HOURS
12 hours reading per week 144
6 hours research per week 72
5 hours assignment preparation per week 60

TOTAL = 312

Learning Activities Summary

Detailed week by week information will be provided on MyUni.

The course will begin with foundational information needed to conduct and understand research in the Social Sciences (specifically Anthropology and Development Studies) including: Designing research questions, conducting a literature review, locating and managing academic resources, and, gaining ethics clearance / conducting ethical work. The sessions then focus on specific research methods including discourse analysis, ethnographic research, interviewing, and, participatory mapping.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Information about assessment tasks including rubrics and past student examples will be provided on MyUni.

Assessment Detail

Assessment 1: 4000 word Literature Review

Percentage: 50%

Assessment 2: 4000 word Critical Evaluation
Essay (Methods)

Percentage: 50%

Submission

All work will be submitted electronically using Turnitin / MyUni.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M11 (Honours Mark Scheme)
Grade	Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade	Reported on Official Transcript
Fail	A mark between 1-49	F
Third Class	A mark between 50-59	3
Second Class Div B	A mark between 60-69	2B
Second Class Div A	A mark between 70-79	2A
First Class	A mark between 80-100	1
Result Pending	An interim result	RP
Continuing	Continuing	CN

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator