This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
This module does not employ formal workshops/ lectures, although students do receive two seminars about (a) how to choose a supervisor, (b) how to choose a good research topic and (c) Ethics, risk and financing research. During the Autumn term students choose a project supervisor and are expected to liaise with them about their project topic. During the Spring and Summer terms, students are expected to meet with their supervisors regularly, during their office hours, to ensure that the project is being conducted appropriately.
Contact hours: 12
Private study hours: 588
Total hours: 600
MSc Biological Anthropology
Portfolio (20%)
Research project, 4-5000 words (80%)
Re-assessment methods: Like-for-like.
Reading list (Indicative list, current at time of publication. Reading lists will be published annually)
Each student will be given their own individual reading list from their research supervisor depending on their particular topic interest. General texts with cross-subject relevance include:
Bell, J. (2010). Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First Time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science (5th Ed.). Open University Press.
Brace, N et al. (2012 ). SPSS for Psychologists (5th edition). London: Palgrave Macmillan
Day, R.A. (1998). How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper (5th ed). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
The British Psychological Society (2009 ). Code of Conduct, Ethical Principles and Guidelines. Leicester: BPS.
AAPA (2003). Code of Ethics of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. URL: http://www.physanth.org/positions/ethics.pdf
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will:
1. Have an advanced understanding of a specific area of evolutionary anthropology/psychology.
2. Have had an opportunity to conduct a piece of research investigating questions of interest to evolutionary anthropology / psychology.
3. Have an advanced understanding of the applicability of various research methodologies to the investigation of questions in evolutionary anthropology / psychology.
4. Have an understanding of the key ethical issues in conducting research as documented in either producing and receiving ethical approval for a piece of research, or, in the case of existing data, showing appreciation of core ethical issues.
The intended generic learning outcomes. On successfully completing the module students will:
1. Have had the opportunity to develop highly transferable critical reasoning skills in relation to theory and research.
2. Have developed the skills to write up a piece of research for publication.
3. Have had the opportunity to apply statistical procedures to real world research issues.
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