Module Content

In Term 1, students will attend the Anthropological Research Methods course run by the Department. This is a combination of lectures and practical exercises. It will provide a hands-on approach to learning anthropological methods – a ‘how to do’ rather than a detailed examination of the epistemological and theoretical dimensions of different methods. The lectures will signpost different epistemological assumptions that are built into methods and will be followed by a practical session which will provide students with the opportunity to use different methods and reflect on their use. The ethos we would like to promote is that there are no “good” or “bad” methods, only methods that are more or less appropriate to the question you’re trying to answer. It includes but is not limited to the following: participant observation; field notes; interviews, data analysis, visual methods, digital anthropology and ethics.

In Term 2, students will draw on their research seminar series and further methods material arising in their core courses to consolidate their understanding of methodological issues and approaches. Following a session to prepare MSc Anthropology, Environment and Development students for their take home exercise, this assessment will take place during the final week of Term 2. MRes Anthropology students attend the Research Design and Presentation sessions with MPhil students and present their research project for group review and feedback. During reading week in term 2 they will prepare an essay for assessment that critically evaluates a particular methodological approach of their choice. Students are advised to consult their supervisors on their choice of method to evaluate.

Both forms of assessment foster integration of other elements of the degree course (e.g., methods sessions delivered within the core course, research and work-in-progress seminar series, etc.) to develop a broad-based approach to research design and methodology. Taken together these elements provide training in the skills necessary to apply postgraduate experience in the professional world.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Describe and critically appraise a range of different research methods including quantitative, qualitative and ethnographic methods and confidently identify the advantages, disadvantages and appropriate uses of each, and their potential complementarity in mixed methods approaches.
	Design, implement and evaluate an appropriate mixed-method research study to answer a research question in a relevant field of Anthropology.
	Demonstrate ability to draw upon and integrate across the breadth and depth of the degree course in addressing research design and methodology.
Teaching Delivery

The module uses a wide range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, seminars, practical sessions that may include site visits and field trips, workshops, presentations, critical feedback sessions, in addition to online tests and independent study in preparing for the different elements.