Bridging the Co-Production Gap: Applying Qualitative Data Analysis in Archaeological Practice [Deeper Digs]
This two-hour seminar introduces archaeologists to the practical application of qualitative data analysis in community-engaged research. Drawing on case studies from the 2024 "People of the Apalachicola System" project and its use of "Community Conversations on Heritage at Risk" workshops, participants will explore how ethnographic methods can be used to capture, interpret, and apply community perspectives in archaeological practice. Through a combination of lecture and guided exercises using real qualitative data, participants will learn how to design focus group discussions, develop codebooks, and analyze textual data to inform cultural resource management and heritage decision-making. The session emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and reflexivity to prepare participants to integrate community input into their own research and management efforts.