SDMM13003E Research Design, Master of Disaster Management

Volume 2014/2015
Education
Master of Disaster Management - compulsory
Not open for external students
Content

Using the framework of a proposal development process, the course will introduce participants to the main components of developing and implementing a research project.  The aim of the course is to strengthen participant’s ability to critically discuss, select, and apply the appropriate research study type and data collection methods for investigating and analyzing specific research questions and introduce them to frameworks for managing and evaluating research projects.  The course will cover the following main topics:

  • General research concepts and study types
  • Quantitative and qualitative methods
  • Research ethics
  • Research project management and leadership
  • Stakeholder and research problem analysis
  • Frameworks and tools for project monitoring and evaluation
  • Strategies for research communication and knowledge management
Learning Outcome

Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:

  • Identify and analyse relevant research problems and key project stakeholders
  • Demonstrate knowledge of general research concepts, ethics, study types, and methods used when addressing research questions
  • Distinguish key elements of the project management lifecycle and describe core leadership strategies
  • Describe the key elements of knowledge management in the context of research communication
  • Identify common approaches for project monitoring and evaluation

Skills

Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:

  • Design a feasible and ethical research study
  • Determine study objectives and select appropriate research methods
  • Create project management, dissemination and evaluation plans
  • Present research proposals that highlight objectives, methods and ethical issues

Competences

Upon completion of the course, participants should be able to:

  • Differentiate between various research study designs and methods
  • Align research problems, questions, objectives with data collection methods
  • Draft a clear and concise research proposal synopsis
The course is a blended learning course with an initial two-week face-to-face component and a concluding one-week e-learning module. Learning activities will include a combination of interactive lectures, think-pair-share exercises, individual and group work on case studies, and plenary discussions. The e-learning module will make use of WIKIs for team assignments, Adobe Presenter sessions, online discussion forums and quizzes.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 30
  • E-Learning
  • 10
  • Exercises
  • 60
  • Preparation
  • 0
  • Total
  • 100
Credit
5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Course assignment (max 2500 words excl. annexes)
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
passed/not passed
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal examiner
Exam period
See the exam plan
Criteria for exam assesment

In order to pass the course, participants should submit a research document that includes:

  • A well formulated problem statement
  • Research objectives
  • Research methods
  • Ethical considerations
  • Limitations
  • High level budget