This course will provide students with training in quantitative methods that form the basis of research across a diverse range of research specialisations. In the first half of the course, students will engage with topics and theoretical debates that form a key part of the archaeological scientist's skillset in the 21st century: principles of good data visualisation, the role of Open Science in fighting the reproducibility crisis, the benefits of meta-analyses for synthesizing previously published datasets, and the reliable application of descriptive and inferential statistical tools in archaeological and evolutionary research. In the second half of the course, the students will apply these skills to gain hands-on experience in computational analysis of datasets from bioarchaeology, evolutionary morphology, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, stable isotope analysis, organic residue analysis, and palaeogenetics. After completion of the course, students will have a working knowledge of the programs R and jamovi for using descriptive and inferential statistical tools, adapting reproducible code from the literature, experimenting with different approaches for data visualisation, and carrying out large and small meta-analyses. They will be able to present the results in ways that are consistent with science-wide calls for statistical reform and avoiding common misuses of significance testing.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- justify and implement appropriate use of descriptive and inferential statistical tools in archaeological and evolutionary research;
- demonstrate evidence-based understanding of the need for Open Science for building robust analytical approaches and addressing the reproducibility crisis in science;
- apply and adapt statistical software tools (R, jamovi) for analysis of diverse datasets;
- design, carry out, and interpret the results of a meta-analysis aimed at synthesising previously published data; and
- communicate the results of data analysis in ways that are consistent with science-wide calls for statistical reform.
Indicative Assessment
- Weekly quizzes (10) [LO 1,2]
- Oral presentation on data visualisation (25) [LO 1,3,5]
- Participation in weekly discussions (10) [LO 2,4,5]
- Meta-analysis report (30) [LO 4,5]
- Data analysis journal (25) [LO 3,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
Total of 130 hours consisting of:
a) 36 hours of contact over 12 weeks: 12 hours of lectures, 24 hours of class discussion and hands-on activities
b) 94 hours of independent student research, reading and writing
Prescribed Texts
Cumming, G., and R. Caelin-Jageman, 2024. Introduction to the New Statistics: Estimation, Open Science and Beyond. Routledge.
Wickham, H., Cetinkaya-Rundel, M., Grolemund, G., 2023. R for Data Science, O’Reilly.
Preliminary Reading
Gelman, A., J. Hill, A. Vehtari, 2020. Regression and Other Stories. Cambridge University Press.
Hunt, M., 1997. How science takes stock: the story of meta-analysis. Russel Sage Foundation.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4920 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4005 | 23 Feb 2026 | 02 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 | 29 May 2026 | In Person | N/A |