Data table and narrative description of variable dimensions
Our insights into collapse and sustainability will come from data we collect from strong peer-reviewed sources. Each team will become specialists of a different group (e.g., Ancestral Puebloan, Hohokam, etc.) and document specific social, demographic, and environmental dimensions that characterize the group immediately prior to substantial demographic decline. We will decide on these dimensions during Week 2.
The Data Table and Narrative Description of Variable Dimensions is a KEY deliverable during the block. Each variable will be classified according to an agreed upon value, such as increasing/decreasing, high/moderate/low, and/or interval level data (e.g., a population level of approximately 30,000). Detailed citations will be necessary for each value in the data table, please click here to read more about citing sources.
Below the data table, a narrative description of each assessed dimensions (social, environmental, demographic) should be clearly written that explains and defends your interpretation and the data that informs the interpretation. We will discuss this more in class.
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Format for data table and narrative:
Case: [group: Hohokam, Ancestral Puebloan, etc.]
When did demographic decline begin? [approx. 1350 to 1375 CE]
When did demographic decline result in minimal to no archaeological detection of persisting occupation of the sub-region? [approx. 1450]
Description of depopulation:
Please write a one paragraph description of demographic decline for your case, including strong citations.
Data table: Summarize the data/coding in a table with the case name on a row and the variables as columns.
******** you do not need to replicate the above for each variable ****************
Variable coding: [Settlement aggregation: increasing]
Narrative description: Increasing settlement aggregation is evident in the archaeological record based on the movement of people into large villages and the apparent depopulation of smaller villages in areas outside of the core population area. For example, the long-occupied villages identified as x and y cease to be occupied at approx. 1250 to 1275 CE. This process is most recently well documented/described by John Smith (2010:23-28). Other key sources include: Jones 1999:10-14, Johnson 1982:3-5.
Uncertainty of variable coding: [low, moderate, or high]
Justification of uncertainty of coding: Explain your uncertainty coding. For example, if "high uncertainty" you could note the presence of few sources or conflicting characterizations.
Notes: anything else important to document? For example, what is important to tell the next researcher that you learned? For example, X source, which was not available to us, should be closely examined to clarify Y.
References cited (at the end of the document is okay)
Manzanilla, Linda
1999 The Emergence of Complex Urban Societies in Central Mexico: The Case of Teotihuacan. In Archaeology in Latin America, edited by Gustavo G. Politis and Benjamin Alberti, pp. 93–129. Routledge, London. Note use SAA format.
etc.
Repeat above format for each variable.
Notes:
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KEY RESOURCE: Tutt Library Anthropology Research Guide (click link)
Rubric: Rubrics are designed to clarify expectations and the points assigned to your submission are intended to signal where you are with your progress toward meeting the learning objectives of the assignment.
31.5 - 35: An exceptional data table and narrative description of the variables includes all the above information in the specified format. Narrative descriptions of the variables are clearly written with numerous and appropriate peer-reviewed citations. Excessive wordiness has been avoided. Much of the text is ready for insertion into the first draft of the research paper. An informed reader would have confidence in the veracity of the assessments and the rigor of the research.
28 - 31.4: A good data table and narrative description of the variables ncludes all the above information in the specified format. Narrative descriptions of the variables are clearly written with numerous and appropriate peer-reviewed citations. Some of the text is ready for insertion into the first draft of the research paper, but more effort is clearly needed. An informed reader would have some confidence in the veracity of the assessments and the rigor of the research.
24.5 - 27.9: A satisfactory data table and narrative description of the variables includes most of the above information in the specified format. Narrative descriptions of the variables are mostly understandable but numerous key peer-reviewed citations are missing and some citations are not appropriate for a scientific paper. The text is mostly not ready for insertion into the first draft of the research paper; more effort is clearly needed. An informed reader would have some questions about the veracity of the assessments and the rigor of the research.
< 24.5: The data table and narrative do not meet expectations.
The Data Table and Narrative Description of Variable Dimensions is a KEY deliverable during the block. Each variable will be classified according to an agreed upon value, such as increasing/decreasing, high/moderate/low, and/or interval level data (e.g., a population level of approximately 30,000). Detailed citations will be necessary for each value in the data table, please click here to read more about citing sources.
Below the data table, a narrative description of each assessed dimensions (social, environmental, demographic) should be clearly written that explains and defends your interpretation and the data that informs the interpretation. We will discuss this more in class.
************************************
Format for data table and narrative:
Case: [group: Hohokam, Ancestral Puebloan, etc.]
When did demographic decline begin? [approx. 1350 to 1375 CE]
When did demographic decline result in minimal to no archaeological detection of persisting occupation of the sub-region? [approx. 1450]
Description of depopulation:
Please write a one paragraph description of demographic decline for your case, including strong citations.
Data table: Summarize the data/coding in a table with the case name on a row and the variables as columns.
******** you do not need to replicate the above for each variable ****************
Variable coding: [Settlement aggregation: increasing]
Narrative description: Increasing settlement aggregation is evident in the archaeological record based on the movement of people into large villages and the apparent depopulation of smaller villages in areas outside of the core population area. For example, the long-occupied villages identified as x and y cease to be occupied at approx. 1250 to 1275 CE. This process is most recently well documented/described by John Smith (2010:23-28). Other key sources include: Jones 1999:10-14, Johnson 1982:3-5.
Uncertainty of variable coding: [low, moderate, or high]
Justification of uncertainty of coding: Explain your uncertainty coding. For example, if "high uncertainty" you could note the presence of few sources or conflicting characterizations.
Notes: anything else important to document? For example, what is important to tell the next researcher that you learned? For example, X source, which was not available to us, should be closely examined to clarify Y.
References cited (at the end of the document is okay)
Manzanilla, Linda
1999 The Emergence of Complex Urban Societies in Central Mexico: The Case of Teotihuacan. In Archaeology in Latin America, edited by Gustavo G. Politis and Benjamin Alberti, pp. 93–129. Routledge, London. Note use SAA format.
etc.
Repeat above format for each variable.
Notes:
- All the information above for each variable should fit on one single-spaced page. Use headings in bold above. The challenge is to maximize what you are communicating to the reader in short, direct sentences. Less is more, if properly written.
**********************************
KEY RESOURCE: Tutt Library Anthropology Research Guide (click link)
Rubric: Rubrics are designed to clarify expectations and the points assigned to your submission are intended to signal where you are with your progress toward meeting the learning objectives of the assignment.
31.5 - 35: An exceptional data table and narrative description of the variables includes all the above information in the specified format. Narrative descriptions of the variables are clearly written with numerous and appropriate peer-reviewed citations. Excessive wordiness has been avoided. Much of the text is ready for insertion into the first draft of the research paper. An informed reader would have confidence in the veracity of the assessments and the rigor of the research.
28 - 31.4: A good data table and narrative description of the variables ncludes all the above information in the specified format. Narrative descriptions of the variables are clearly written with numerous and appropriate peer-reviewed citations. Some of the text is ready for insertion into the first draft of the research paper, but more effort is clearly needed. An informed reader would have some confidence in the veracity of the assessments and the rigor of the research.
24.5 - 27.9: A satisfactory data table and narrative description of the variables includes most of the above information in the specified format. Narrative descriptions of the variables are mostly understandable but numerous key peer-reviewed citations are missing and some citations are not appropriate for a scientific paper. The text is mostly not ready for insertion into the first draft of the research paper; more effort is clearly needed. An informed reader would have some questions about the veracity of the assessments and the rigor of the research.
< 24.5: The data table and narrative do not meet expectations.
