Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
Prepare a research design for sample, thematic and other
surveys to be performed under a project-specific permit. Research designs are
not required for surveys performed under a general permit.
A.
Purpose. A research design
shall detail the reason for the survey and how the survey will contribute to
the public's knowledge of the cultural heritage of the state. Research designs
shall take into account broad regional research needs and strive to fill in
gaps in current state of knowledge and shall be realistic and attainable from
the nature of the study. Research designs shall be flexible enough to
accommodate unanticipated discoveries.
B.
Components. A research
design shall include the following components. The length of each section shall
be appropriate to the complexity and scale of the study.
(1)
Title page.
(2)
Table of contents, lists of
figures and tables (for documents with more than 10 pages of
text).
(3)
Purpose of the
study. Provide a succinct overview of the proposed survey including:
(a) goals for the survey;
(b) the name of the project;
(c) brief description of the history of the
project;
(d) the project sponsor or
client, state agency and other land jurisdictions;
(e) project location and size of area to be
surveyed in acres and hectares; and
(f) project map at a USGS 7.5-minute
(1:24,000) topographic quadrangle scale depicting survey area boundaries, land
ownership boundaries, north arrow, key and name of USGS
quadrangle(s).
(4)
Research context. The context provides a foundation for the
development of specific research questions. Scale the discussion to the
complexity, size and limitations of the proposed study. The length of each
discussion may vary but shall include the following elements:
(a) review of pertinent literature including
but not limited to statewide and regional cultural-historical overviews and
historic contexts, research designs, published archaeological, ethnographic and
historical monographs and articles, cultural resource management technical
reports, field reports and archival sources;
(b) discussion of the theoretical orientation
and assumptions guiding the proposed research;
(c) identification of general research
problems and topics relevant to the region; discuss the research problems in
the context of the culture history and knowledge of the area and current
research gaps;
(d) specification of
research questions; provide a clear link between the questions and the
theoretical assumptions;
(e)
identification of the specific data needed to answer the questions; explain how
the survey results are likely to contain data relevant to answer the
questions;
(f) discussion of survey
procedures; adopt the standards for intensive survey whenever possible
(4.10.15.11 NMAC); explain and justify deviation from these standards; discuss
how the specific field methods and approach are related to the research goals;
provide a specific link between the data needs and the survey approach; for
sample surveys, explain why the proposed sampling strategy is appropriate to
the research questions; samples may be random or stratified but also shall be
appropriate to estimate the nature, distribution and density of cultural
properties within the entire project area; and
(g) discussion of analytical procedures;
provide a specific link between the research questions, data needs and proposed
analyses to resolve the research questions; discuss sampling strategy and
sampling fraction if all artifacts recorded and specimens collected will not be
analyzed; include copies of analysis forms expected to be used for field or
laboratory analysis in addition to the LA archaeological site record
form.
(5)
Personnel. Identify all supervisory personnel and analysts who will
perform the fieldwork, laboratory analyses and prepare the report. Include
subcontractors, if appropriate, and off-site laboratories for specialized
analyses if proposed. If specific personnel or subcontractors have not been
identified for all activities, provide a list of personnel or subcontractors
who may be retained, or list the minimum qualifications of the personnel that
will be retained.
(6)
Schedule. Explain the expected time frame to implement the field,
analysis and reporting phases of the project.
(7)
References cited.
(8)
Appendices as
needed.