YRM-61303 From Topic to Thesis Proposal

Course

Credits 3.00

Language of instruction:

English

Mandatory knowledge:

Two advanced disciplinary courses of the Research Master Variant in MID and MME.

Contents:

This is an advanced course which is part of the Research Master Variant in the MSc programmes MID and MME. The general aim of this course is to acquire insight in the process of (getting started with) research and the methodology pitfalls you may encounter between formulating a research problem and writing a scientific paper. This course addresses methodology issues of importance to quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research. Topics in the course are: Research as a way of thinking, Formulating research questions, From concept to variable, Choosing a research design, Types of data collection instruments, Sampling, and Ethical issues in data collection.

Learning outcomes:

By the end of this course you will be able to:
- critically assess proposals at the MSc level;
- formulate research questions, and to decide on the appropriateness of hypotheses;
- make an informed choice between a number of study designs;
- make an informed choice between a number of data collection techniques;
- decide on a sampling strategy suitable for your research.

Activities:

- workshop;
- self-study assignments;
- critical appraisal of other students work.

Examination:

Exam 25%, Final Assignment 75%.To pass this course, one needs both the assignment and the mid-way exam to have a grade of at least 5.5.

Literature:

Ranjit Kumar (2005). Research methodology (2nd ed). London, Thousands Oaks, New Delhi: Sage publications Ltd. ISBN 141291194X.