AGDK14001U Applied Research Methods

Volume 2022/2023
Education

MSc programme in Global Development

Content

Applied Research Methods (ARMS) familiarises students with a selection of qualitative and quantitative research methods that are of relevance for cross-disciplinary research. By the end of the course, students are expected to have acquired in-depth knowledge of at least one methodology and to be able to apply it. The course is built around a case study to be conducted by the students on a topic of relevance for global development, applying the techniques learnt during the course. Group work on the case study will be crucial to increase students’ methodological skills and analytical capacities.

Learning Outcome

After completing the course, the student should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Describe central concepts in qualitative and quantitative data gathering and discuss their strengths and limitations.
  • Describe central concepts in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and discuss their strengths and limitations.

 

Skills:

  • Perform statistical analyses of quantitative data, using appropriate statistical software
  • Plan and perform participant observation and qualitative interviews.
  • Perform qualitative analyses.                         
  • Write integrated report of main research findings.

 

Competences

  • Select relevant methods for data gathering and analysis.
  • Ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries.

See "Absalon"

The course is aimed at 1st semester MSc students at the Global Development program and students that have passed a bachelor’s program in Anthropology, Economics, Geography, Sociology, or Political Science
The course is based on a combination of lectures and seminars drawing on relevant academic literature. Students develop their practical skills through exercises and a case study combining different research methods. The seminars are designed to substantiate the knowledge gained during the lectures. This will be achieved by carrying out exercises that will require the application of theoretical concepts and the use of statistical software. Active participation in the seminar groups is a mandatory prerequisite for taking the final exam.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 26
  • Preparation
  • 70
  • Exercises
  • 36
  • Seminar
  • 26
  • Exam
  • 48
  • Total
  • 206
Continuous feedback during the course

Continuous feedback during the semester. At least one teacher will each week be available for “open office hours” (2 hours per week)”. The exact time for the “open office hours” will be announced at the beginning of the semester.

Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
The report has a page limit of 10 normal pages including maps, plots, and tables. Transcribed interviews indicating names of interviewers should be attached as appendices. The report must contain:
1. A short introduction (the background, what methods have been used and how)
2. Results of the quantitative survey (tables and figures, with good comments)
3. Short narrative presentation of results from qualitative interviews and participant observation.
4. An integrated analysis of results.
The report must be presented to the class. To ensure that individual contributions to the report are acknowledged, the report must include a brief clarification specifying each member’s precise contribution to the report. Groups consists of up to six students.
Exam registration requirements

Students will be distributed over two seminar classes, and those will be subdivided again in smaller groups of students (depending on the total number of students) who are expected to work together throughout the course in a manner approaching professional collaboration. Active participation in the seminar groups is a mandatory prerequisite for taking the final exam. Each group is expected present a paper during the course and participation in the group presentation is required.

Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam

If you fail an examination, you will be allowed two more attempts to pass the relevant course. The first re-examination will typically be scheduled immediately following the semester (February/August). The second re-examination will typically be scheduled in the following exam period. If you need to sign up for the re-examination use the self-service

If you need to sign up for a re-examination use the self service.

Criteria for exam assesment

See 'Learning Outcome'