NIFK23000U Preparing Global Forestry Fieldwork

Volume 2023/2024
Education

MSc Programme in Global Forestry 

Content

The course is a preparatory course for the Global Forestry Field Course: the focus is on developing a minor research project (that will then be implemented during the subsequent field course in a low or middle-income country in the Global South). The course includes (i) an understanding of the general environment in the country, e.g. regarding natural resources management policies and forest types; (ii) training in locating and assessing white and grey literature on the research project topic; (iii) conducting critical discussions as part of project preparation; (iv) preparing and analysing empirically oriented project synopses; (v) selecting appropriate data collection instruments; (vi) finalising a fieldwork project proposal. The course thus covers the entire research process up to the implementation phase. In addition, the course pays particular attention to practical considerations concerning fieldwork, e.g. ethics, personal safety, training and managing enumerators.

Learning Outcome

The course aims to give the students a thorough understanding of the importance of fieldwork preparation.


After finishing the course students are 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

The course material consists of selected scientific articles and book chapters. Students identify additional group specific literature.

The course is designed to give students from a broad range of educations an introduction to empirical data collection and research project synopsis writing. The courses Tropical Forests and People; Systems of Sustainable Forestry; Participatory Natural Resource Governance Management; Livelihoods and Environmental Change offer helpful but not critical additional background knowledge.

Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is recommended.
The course is provided through classroom and web-based teaching and learning system. Students will apply concepts acquired during theoretical modules. Each student will participate in a supervised group; teachers from participating European universities and co-supervisors from the hosting university (i.e. the university hosting the subsequent field course) will provide supervision. Each group will prepare a project proposal on a given research topic, and each student will assess the other groups’ synopses.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 120
  • Project work
  • 76
  • Guidance
  • 10
  • Total
  • 206
Written
Collective
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Portfolio
Type of assessment details
Students 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).

Students must pass the two examinations individually in order to pass the overall exam.

Weight: Research synopsis 50%, Review of the other group synopses 50%.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
One internal censor
Re-exam

Reexam: written assignment to be dowloaded from Digital Exam cutting across the materials covered in the course. 4 hours. 


 

Criteria for exam assesment

See criteria in Learning Outcome