National Occupational Standards in
Archaeological Practice

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AC1 Research and analyse information for archaeological purposes

AC1.1 Identify sources and availability of information

Performance Required

This will involve:

1. identifying clearly the type and range of information required to achieve the research outcomes
2. identifying and evaluating sources of information (including primary and secondary sources) for their potential contribution to the research
3. ascertaining clearly the procedures that are required to access information and ensuring these are complied with
4. where appropriate, providing a clear explanation of the purpose of the research and the data that is likely to be relevant
5. respecting confidentiality and intellectual copyright and complying with organisational and legal and ethical constraints on the use and disclosure of information obtained

Occupational Context

1. Sources of information (may include)
   • records of survey or excavation
   • artefacts
   • environmental material
   • other samples
   • oral testimony
   • records produced during analysis
   • published analyses
   • synthetic research reports
   • museum catalogues & accession records
   • other archive material
2. Primary sources
   • items / artefacts
   • sites
   • collections
3. Secondary sources
   • libraries and archives
   • catalogues and databases
   • the internet
   • organisations
   • publications
   • conferences / meetings
   • individuals

Knowledge Requirements

You need to know and understand how to:

• Collect, record or access information using normal procedures

You need to know about:

• What the research aims of the project are
• The sources of information relevant to the research
• In the case of sub-projects, how they contribute to the project as a whole
• Relevant legislation and codes of practice

Required Skills

You should demonstrate:

• How to use text, graphic and numeric data in traditional and electronic formats
• appropriate techniques for recording, storing, manipulating and displaying different types of data in different media

Evidence Required

You must provide performance evidence proving that you can identify sources and availability of information to achieve the research objectives. The sources of information must include: libraries and archives, catalogues, databases, organisations and publications, and where appropriate conferences, seminars, experts and specific items.

Candidates will normally provide the outputs from research as the main evidence for this element. Typically this could be a research report and the new data/information generated.

This would be supplemented with a significant degree of questioning to demonstrate that the knowledge areas are fully covered.

Evidence Rules

• The candidate should have been involved in at least 2 research projects

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Today's date: 3/9/2010
This page last updated: 6/8/2007 11:58