Butser Ancient Farm
Project Consultant : Christine
Shaw
Research Projects at the Farm
Research Studies and other Experimental
work at the Farm are generally subject to a vetting process,
controlled by Butser Ancient Farm Trust. This process forms part
of the Licence under which the site is managed. The purpose of
this process is to ensure that work is of the quality and subject
to the same ethos as that historically undertaken by Dr Peter
Reynolds. The submission form is given below and explains what
are largely self-evident principles in greater detail. The
highlighted definitions clarify what exactly is an experiment
within the field of experimental archaeology and other work.
Should you wish to consider submitting a
proposal, the form may be printed off and submitted as indicated.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL FORM
Notes:
- Butser
Ancient Farm aims to encourage Archaeological researchers
to make greater use of the experimental and scientific
opportunities offered by the site.
- This
form provides a flexible framework for the proposal of
new experiments or research. The boxes are flexible to
include as much or as little information as is necessary
to your case. However, for all but large projects, it
would be helpful if you would keep your proposal to four
sides.
- For the
purposes of Butser Ancient Farm an experiment is defined
in the following manner: An experiment is an organised
and systematic way of proving or disproving a specified
hypothesis. The methodology, including processes of
measurement, observation and assessment, must be planned
in advance after reviewing past research and should be
acceptable to practitioners in the disciplines involved.
Good practice requires that the method(s) of data
analysis to be used should be defined at the planning
stage. The procedures should be defined in writing and
followed scrupulously. The experiment should be capable
of replication by other parties.
- Any
piece of research work not meeting the criteria of an
experiment as defined above will be classified as an
Observational Study. While valuable in itself and as a
precursor to an experiment, this work must not be termed
Experimental Archaeology.
- Depending
on the scope of your proposal, it may be passed to an
outside assessor for comment.
- Funding:
The farm is unable to fund experimental research by
others. Those proposing experiments and research are
encouraged to apply to external sources for funding. In
costing, please make sure that the full costs of any
work, facilities at Butser Ancient Farm are covered and
that some appropriate contribution to the running costs
of the facilities you will be using is included.
- Health
& Safety: Please note that it will be necessary to
prepare a risk assessment for the research work carried
out at Butser Ancient Farm.
- Reports:
Within 6 months of the completion date of your research
you will be asked to submit an interim report with an
outline of your results. This should be sent
electronically in a form suitable for posting on a
website and the inclusion of images is welcome. Butser
Ancient Farm is particularly keen that the results of
experimental work carried out on site is published and
disseminated by other means so please include your plans
for publication.
- There
are separate requirements for use of the geophysics test
bed. Please contact the Farm at the address below.
Forms should be
submitted to:
Butser Ancient
Farm, Chalton Lane, Chalton, Waterlooville, Hants. PO8 0BG
Or emailed to: administrator@butserancientfarm.co.uk
RESEARCH
PROPOSAL FORM
1. Title of Experiment/Observational
Study
2. Proposal
prepared by:
Name:
Organisation:
Address:
Email:
Telephone:
3. Aims of your
research:
4. Means of
achieving your aims:
5. Length of
project:
Proposed start
date:
Proposed
completion date:
6. Previous
research on the topic. Please indicate references to key
published work by yourself or others.
7. Methods:
Identify the parts of the site where you propose to work and the
main scientific techniques and equipment to be used.
8. How does
your research contribute to the vision, mission and core values
of BAF
(see web site www.butser.org.uk )
9. How will
your research be funded?
Estimate costs
and funding sources
10. Identify
any implications which your research may have for the normal
running of the Ancient Farm, its educational activities or other
experiments.
11. Identify
any Health & Safety implications of your research
12. Publication
and any other dissemination plans for your research with
timetable
13. Referees
who may be asked to provide a reference supporting your proposal
Name:
Address:
Name:
Address:
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Created 14 November
2009 - Updated 23 November 2009