LNAK10097U Preparing Field Work in the Tropics
Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Forests and
Livelihoods (SUTROFOR)
Content
The course is a preparatory course for the Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School: the focus is on developing a minor research project (that will then be implemented during the subsequent summer school taking place in a developing country). The course includes understanding of: the general environment in the country in which the subsequent summer school will take place, e.g. regarding natural resources management policies and forest types; training in locating and assessing white and grey literature on the research project topic; conducting critical online discussions as part of project preparation; preparing and analysing empirically oriented project synopses; selecting appropriate data collection instruments; finalising a field work project proposal. The course thus covers the entire research process until the implementation phase. Particular attention is paid to practical considerations in connection to field work, e.g. ethics, personal safety, training and managing enumerators.
The course is a preparatory course for the Sustainable Tropical Forestry Summer School: the focus is on developing a minor research project (that will then be implemented during the subsequent summer school taking place in a developing country). The course includes understanding of: the general environment in the country in which the subsequent summer school will take place, e.g. regarding natural resources management policies and forest types; training in locating and assessing white and grey literature on the research project topic; conducting critical online discussions as part of project preparation; preparing and analysing empirically oriented project synopses; selecting appropriate data collection instruments; finalising a field work project proposal. The course thus covers the entire research process until the implementation phase. Particular attention is paid to practical considerations in connection to field work, e.g. ethics, personal safety, training and managing enumerators.
Learning Outcome
The aim of the course is to impart to the students a thorough understanding of the importance of field work preparation.
After finishing the course the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge:
Understand the importance of field work preparation
Be familiar with the research process (until implementation stage)
Realise the need to acquire in-depth location specific factual knowledge
Gain in-depth knowledge of topic addressed in research synopsis
Skills:
Apply principles, theories and frameworks to locally specific knowledge/conditions
Collect, analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative information
Select and design relevant data collection instruments
Design a clear and coherent research project synopsis
Reflect on risks and ethics in relation to data collection in developing countries
Competences:
Argue cogently and think critically within the parameters of a particular academic discipline
Demonstrate the values of scholarship: inquiry, reflection, integrity, open mindedness, evidence-based thinking, collegiality
Tackle problems by collecting, analysing and evaluating appropriate qualitative and quantitative information and using it creatively
The aim of the course is to impart to the students a thorough understanding of the importance of field work preparation.
After finishing the course the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge:
Understand the importance of field work preparation
Be familiar with the research process (until implementation stage)
Realise the need to acquire in-depth location specific factual knowledge
Gain in-depth knowledge of topic addressed in research synopsis
Skills:
Apply principles, theories and frameworks to locally specific knowledge/conditions
Collect, analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative information
Select and design relevant data collection instruments
Design a clear and coherent research project synopsis
Reflect on risks and ethics in relation to data collection in developing countries
Competences:
Argue cogently and think critically within the parameters of a particular academic discipline
Demonstrate the values of scholarship: inquiry, reflection, integrity, open mindedness, evidence-based thinking, collegiality
Tackle problems by collecting, analysing and evaluating appropriate qualitative and quantitative information and using it creatively
Literature
Course material consists of selected
scientific articles and book chapters. Students identify additional
group specific literature.
Teaching and learning methods
The course is provided
through a web-based teaching and learning system. Students will
apply concepts acquired during theoretical modules. Each student
will participate in a supervised group; supervision will be
provided by supervisors from participating European universities
and co-supervisors from the hosting university (i.e. the university
hosting the subsequent summer school). Each group will prepare a
project proposal on a given research topic, and each student will
assess the other groups’ synopses.
Workload
- Category
- Hours
- Guidance
- 10
- Preparation
- 120
- Project work
- 76
- Total
- 206
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Exam
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- PortfolioStudents will work in groups; each group will develop a research synopsis. Final grade will be based on (i) the research synopsis, and (ii) individual student peer-review of two other groups' research synopses (each student must prepare a 500 word/synopsis evaluation).
Weight: Research synopsis 50%, Review of the other group synopses 50%. - Exam registration requirements
- Students must pass a test after the third week in order to proceed to the synopsis writing.
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Exam period
- one internal censor
- Re-exam
- If 10 or fewer register for the reexamination the examination form will be oral.
Criteria for exam assesment
See below about criterias in Learning
Outcome
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- LNAK10097U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedule
- Teaching is entirely online
- Course capacity
- 35
- Continuing and further education
- Study board
- Study Board of Natural Resources and Environment
Contracting department
- Department of Food and Resource Economics
Course responsibles
- Carsten Smith-Hall (3-697975466f6c787534717b346a71)
Saved on the
27-11-2013