AGDK14012U Applying mixed methods
Data are conceived, identified, gathered, structured, and analyzed in complex and messy situations. Often, social scientists collect both quantitative and qualitative data and seek to integrate and combine these in a coherent form – i.e. a mixed methods approach is used. This course gives students an opportunity to learn from practicing such a mixed methods approaches to social science research, with an emphasis on the application of methods that yield both qualitative and quantitative data. In doing so, students will experience the potential benefits of applying a mixed methods approach in real world situations.
The main objective of this course is for students to gain experience of collecting data in practice and, in turn, to appreciate how different approaches to data collection affect the findings obtained, as well as create awareness about ethical issues in connection to empirical data collection. In order to get as close as possible to a realistic data collection experience (whether for research or evaluation for example), the course includes 2 weeks of field research in a context of relevance to themes of global development.
Students will work in groups to define their own research questions. In turn, they will design and implement mixed methods field research to answer these questions. The outputs expected of students include: a group report that summarizes the research process and results; and an individual final essay that reflects on the experience of applying mixed methods field research.
This course aims to enable students to design and implement mixed social science research methods in complex and messy situations. In addition, students should be enabled to concisely communicate and critically reflect on their research findings in light of the specific research methods chosen and the corresponding process of data collection.
Having completed the course, students should be able to:
Knowledge
describe and define central concepts of relevance to social science data collection and interpretation;
show an understanding of the application of mixed methods that include qualitative and quantitative data collection methods;
Skills
design a research plan for field study, incorporating mixed methods;
collect and process relevant data during fieldwork;
discuss and compare data obtained by various methods in interdisciplinary fieldwork;
Competencies
analyze how data collection methods and their application 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, -The final evaluation comprises a reflection essay on the field research. The essay will have to answer a specific set of questions regarding the field research and must be kept within a certain word limit that will be defined by the teachers.
- Exam registration requirements
Two mandatory assignments must be satisfactorily completed (in groups) at specific points during the course. These are:
• Research proposal, incl. research design and field work plan to be completed before field work phase. If this is not passed, students will not be allowed to join the field work.
• Final research report at the termination of the course, prior to the final evaluation. If this is not passed, students will not be allowed to the final exam.
- 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
- Course capacity
- THE COURSE IS NOT OPEN TO CREDIT/EXCHANGE STUDENTS
- Study board
- Study Board for Global Development
Contracting department
- Department of Anthropology
Course responsibles
- Jens Friis Lund (4-6d687176436c697572316e7831676e)