AGDK14012U Applying mixed methods
This course gives students an opportunity to practice mixed methods research in interdisciplinary groups. The course emphasizes qualitative and quantitative methods commonly used in the social sciences. Students will experience the difficulties, trade-offs, limitations and possible benefits of applying mixed methods in real world situations.
The main objective of this course is for students to gain experience of the research process in its entirety: from identifying and formulating a research question; preparing a research design; planning and implementing data collection, analyzing data and writing an academic report. The course gives students the possibility to appreciate how different approaches to data collection affect the findings obtained, and to reflect upon the material gained (or not gained) from the specific methods used. Additionally, an important aim is to create awareness of research ethics.
The course includes preparing a (small scale) research project and two weeks of field research in a context of relevance to themes of global development. With point of departure in a specific field site and logistical setup, students work in groups refining their research design and applying relevant mixed methods in order to collect the data necessary to answer their research questions. Based on the field work, the groups write a report on the findings of their research, which form part of the exam along with an individual essay reflecting on the methods used and empirical findings.
The learning outcomes of the course relate both to design and implementation of research in a complex and messy field situation and to knowledge and reflection upon social science methods and ethics.
Knowledge
• identify, define and justify a set of research
questions
• describe and define central concepts of relevance to social
science data collection and interpretation
Skills
• design a research plan for field study, incorporating
relevant mixed methods
• collect, process and analyze relevant data during and after
fieldwork
• communicate research findings in an academic report
format
Competencies
• critically discuss the different kinds of data and forms of
knowledge obtained by alternative data collection and analytical
methods, including how these methods shape research findings
• reflect on ethical concerns in relation to empirical
research
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 20
- Exam Preparation
- 120
- Field Work
- 100
- Lectures
- 40
- Preparation
- 120
- Seminar
- 20
- Total
- 420
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment, -Portfolio exam
The exam comprises two components that will be evaluated together. These are:
• A research report that must be handed in at the termination of the course. The research report is written in groups and must be kept within a word limit as defined by the teachers. It must include a 2-page summary of research findings that must be targeted people who gave information for the research.
• An individual 12 hour reflection essay on the methods used and the resulting data material. The essay must respond to a specific task/question and must be kept within a word limit as defined by the teachers. - Exam registration requirements
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment
Se learning outcomes
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- AGDK14012U
- Credit
- 15 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3 And Spring
- Schedule
- %
- Course capacity
- THE COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO CREDIT/EXCHANGE STUDENTS
- Study board
- Study Board for Global Development
Contracting departments
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of Economics
Course responsibles
- Jens Friis Lund (4-726d767b48716e7a7736737d366c73)
Lecturers
Helle Bundgaard, Department of Anthropology
Edward Sam Jones, Department of Economics