I856 – Databases and Research Data Management in Archaeology

Module
Databases and Research Data Management in Archaeology
Databases and Research Data Management in Archaeology

Please note: This module will be offered for the first time in the Summer semester 2025 semester.
Module number
I856
Version: 1
Faculty
Informatics/Mathematics
Level
Master
Duration
1 Semester
Semester
Summer semester
Module supervisor

PD Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Marco Block-Berlitz
marco.block-berlitz(at)htw-dresden.de
Lecturer(s)

Dr. phil. Hendrik Rohland
hendrik.rohland(at)htw-dresden.de
Course language(s)

English
in "Research Data Management in Archaeology"
ECTS credits

5.00 credits

Workload

150 hours

Courses

4.00 SCH (2.00 SCH Lecture | 2.00 SCH Internship)
Self-study time

90.00 hours

Pre-examination(s)
None
Examination(s)

Alternative examination - Project
Module examination | Weighting: 100% | tested in English language
in "Research Data Management in Archaeology"
Form of teaching
  • Hybrid lectures to get acquianted with the relevant literature, standards and discussions
  • Self-study of selected literature
  • Guided Tutorials on basic skills for the organization, management and publishing of research data
Media type
  • Presentation and script for the lectures
  • Literature, mostly available online
  • OpenSource database and GIS applications
    • PostgreSQL & PostGIS
    • QGIS
    • OpenRefine
  • Services available on the internet
Instruction content/structure

In the combined lecture and literature course the following topics will be covered

  • Introduction to the spescifics of research data
  • FAIR and CARE principles
  • Relevant types of data in archaeological research
    • Types and scales
    • Digital representation of these types
  • Modelling, Organization, Storage and Management
    • Relational data model, SQL
    • Alternative data models
    • GIS data Models
    • Formal ontologies
    • Information Infrastructures
  • Platforms for publishing and acquisition of data
  • Standards and guidelines for research data publishing
    • Formats and Types
    • Metadata
    • Paradata
    • Copyright and Licensing
    • Citation

During the practical sessions, the participants will work in small groups to:

  • Practice to develop a data model for a given research or documentation purpose
  • Implement the model in a Database Management System
  • Include spatial data in that system and connect it to a GIS
  • Develop a data management plan
  • Generate the para- and metadata, and export files for publishing and long-term archiving
Qualification objectives

After passing the course, the participants...

  • ... are aware of the importance of adequate data modelling.
  • ... are capable of designing appropriate data models for research and management purposes in the realm of cultural heritage and archaeology.
  • ... are capable to implement an information infrastructure for a small project.
  • ... understand the importance of research data management as an integral part of scientifc practice.
  • ... are able to devise and implement a research data management plan.
  • ... are aware of the ethical legal issues of research data.
  • ... are able to prepare research data for publication.
Social and personal skills
No information
Special admission requirements
Recommended prerequisites
Continuation options
Literature
  • Jannidis, F., Kohle, H. and Rehbein, M. (eds) (2017) Digital Humanities: eine Einführung. Stuttgart: J.B. Metzler Verlag.
  • Wilkinson, M. D., et al. (2016) ‘The FAIR Guiding Principles for scientific data management and stewardship.’ Scientific Data, 3(160018).
  • Huggett, J. (2018) ‘Reuse Remix Recycle: Repurposing Archaeological Digital Data.’ Advances in Archaeological Practice, 6(2) pp. 93–104.
  • Archaeology Data Service (2022) Guides to Good Practice. [Online] [Accessed on 14th October 2022] https://guides.archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/g2gpwiki/.
  • IANUS-Forschungsdatenzentrum Für Archäologie & Altertumswissenschaften (2014) ‘IT-Empfehlungen für den nachhaltigen Umgang mit digitalen Daten in den Altertumswissenschaften.’ IANUS - FDZ Archäologie & Altertumswissenschaften.
  • Nakoinz, O. and Knitter, D. (2016) Modelling Human Behaviour in Landscapes: Basic Concepts and Modelling Elements. 1st ed. 2016, Cham: Springer International Publishing : Imprint: Springer (Quantitative Archaeology and Archaeological Modelling).
Current teaching resources

Recommended Software:

Archaeological research data repositories:

General research data repositories:
Notes
No information
Link to course/learning resources in OPAL
Close detail view
© Modulux (Version 4.3)