LFKK10258U Qualitative Methods in Agricultural Development
Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Agricultural
Development
MSC Programme in Agriculture
MSC Programme in Agriculture
Content
The knowledge and skills
acquired through this course will be useful for for academic work
at all levels, including for thesis work and relevant for students
interested in research design, methods and methodology.
The course goes through the research process from designing the research and selecting methods to the process of qualitative data collection and analysis. It complements disciplinary skills with a view to get the full benefit of subsequent thematic courses, thesis work and post-graduate careers.
Specifically, the students will acquire knowledge within the following fields:
-Knowledge on available qualitative methods. Some knowledge about quantitative methods. Understanding pros and cons of each method.
- when and how to apply selected techniques for data collection (interviews, questionnaires, participatory appraisals; participatory observation);
- how to plan and conduct fieldwork (including in developing countries)
- how to analyse qualitative data
-Very basic introduction to theory of science,
The students will, among other things, obtain knowledge on:
- research processes and design
- planning and conducting data collection/fieldwork
- qualitative data collection methods
- quantitative data collection methods
- data recording
- data quality
Special emphasis will be put on how to apply qualitative methods in studies of agricultural systems and natural resource management, and on qualitative research in developing countries.
The course goes through the research process from designing the research and selecting methods to the process of qualitative data collection and analysis. It complements disciplinary skills with a view to get the full benefit of subsequent thematic courses, thesis work and post-graduate careers.
Specifically, the students will acquire knowledge within the following fields:
-Knowledge on available qualitative methods. Some knowledge about quantitative methods. Understanding pros and cons of each method.
- when and how to apply selected techniques for data collection (interviews, questionnaires, participatory appraisals; participatory observation);
- how to plan and conduct fieldwork (including in developing countries)
- how to analyse qualitative data
-Very basic introduction to theory of science,
The students will, among other things, obtain knowledge on:
- research processes and design
- planning and conducting data collection/fieldwork
- qualitative data collection methods
- quantitative data collection methods
- data recording
- data quality
Special emphasis will be put on how to apply qualitative methods in studies of agricultural systems and natural resource management, and on qualitative research in developing countries.
Learning Outcome
The main aim of the
course is for the students to obtain essential skills in relation
to conducting qualitative research, including in developing
countries. The students will demonstrate that they have obtained
these skills through their contributions to group project reports,
and through oral exams.
The objective is that at the end of the course, the students can demonstrate that they
Knowledge:
1.Can describe the research methods, the theoretical aspects of these methods, and other aspects of field research which have been introduced during the course, compendium and classes
Skills:
2. Can formulate a research question and/or a research problem, and can define and make the key concepts operational for an empirical enquiry in the field.
3. Can identify and choose research methods suitable for answering a particular research question/problem given a particular empirical context
4. Can argue convincingly for their choice of methods referring to theory as well as to the given empirical context.
5. Can elaborate a realistic time line for field research
6. Can apply the research methods introduced at the course
7. Can critically evaluate the quality (reliability/validity) of a given set of primary and secondary data, analyse data and draw conclusions in relation to a given research question/problem.
Competences
8. Through the project work, the students will demonstrate that they can work in a team under time pressure
The objective is that at the end of the course, the students can demonstrate that they
Knowledge:
1.Can describe the research methods, the theoretical aspects of these methods, and other aspects of field research which have been introduced during the course, compendium and classes
Skills:
2. Can formulate a research question and/or a research problem, and can define and make the key concepts operational for an empirical enquiry in the field.
3. Can identify and choose research methods suitable for answering a particular research question/problem given a particular empirical context
4. Can argue convincingly for their choice of methods referring to theory as well as to the given empirical context.
5. Can elaborate a realistic time line for field research
6. Can apply the research methods introduced at the course
7. Can critically evaluate the quality (reliability/validity) of a given set of primary and secondary data, analyse data and draw conclusions in relation to a given research question/problem.
Competences
8. Through the project work, the students will demonstrate that they can work in a team under time pressure
Literature
Useful as introduction:
Mikkelsen,B. 2005. Methods for Development Work and Research. A New
Guide for Practitioners, SAGE
Teaching and learning methods
Lectures, group project with
practical exercises, case descriptions, theoretical
exercises
Workload
- Category
- Hours
- Exam
- 2
- Guidance
- 2
- Lectures
- 30
- Preparation
- 67
- Project work
- 90
- Theory exercises
- 15
- Total
- 206
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Continuing Education - click here!
Exam
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Oral examination, 25 minutes under invigilationOral exams are mainly conducted on the basis of research cases. The 25 minutes of examination include assessment.
Weight: Oral exam counts for 100% of final mark. - Exam registration requirements
- Project report passed
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
One internal examiner
- Re-exam
- If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral.
Criteria for exam assesment
To obtain the grade 12 the student must fullfil the Learning
outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- LFKK10258U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 1
- Schedule
- A
- Course capacity
- No limitations
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources and Environment
Contracting departments
- Department of Food and Resource Economics
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences
- Department of Large Animal Sciences
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology
Course responsibles
- Iben Nathan (2-6e73456e6b777433707a336970)
Lecturers
Associate professor Iben Nathan
Professor Maria Vang Johansen,
Associate Professor Hanne Hansen
and others
Saved on the
24-09-2013