N.M. Code R. § 4.10.15.17

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 11, June 11, 2024

Section 4.10.15.17 - RESEARCH DESIGNS UNDER PROJECT-SPECIFIC PERMITS

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.

N.M. Code R. § 4.10.15.17

4.10.15.17 NMAC - N, 1/01/06