SDC-21306 Methods, Techniques and Data Analysis for Field Research

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch

Assumed knowledge on:

YSS-10906 Analysis of a Problem Situation and DEC-20306 Rural Households and Livelihood Strategies.

Continuation courses:

SDC-22306 Field Research Practical.

Contents:

This course offers students the opportunity to become acquainted with different qualitative and quantitative methods for exploratory field research. The focus is on issues of development and change. Practical problems of doing research in a situation outside one's own society will be stressed.
Major attention is given to:
- relation between theory and methodology;
- designing a research proposal;
- different methods for data collection (literature study, interviews, questionnaires, participant observation, etc.);
- choice of appropriate samples;
- the ethics and practicalities of doing field research;
- making and coding fieldnotes;
- different procedures for data analysis and processing;
- different methods for presentation of field results.
Practical cases and (individual and group) exercises are scheduled to facilitate an active learning process.
The organization of the course will stimulate critical reflection on various approaches for data collection and analysis, and on the relationship between specific research problems and related methods. Students have a computer practical in which they become acquainted with qualitative data analysis, linear regression analysis of farm household production and income, and of consumption and expenditure, next to linear programming analysis of farm production.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to design, carry out and analyse information derived from primary field research. This entails that students are expected to be able to:
- summarize the foundations and basics of quantitative and qualitative research approaches;
- explain the research process and the relation between theory and research question;
- formulate and operationalise a research question, derived from, and embedded in, literature research;
- choose and defend the appropriate methods for conducting field research;
- define appropriate units of analysis, samples and informants relevant for research;
- employ different research techniques (observations, informal interviews, (semi-) structured questionnaires, experiments);
- record, code and analyse data, using quantitative and qualitative modes of analysis.

Activities:

The course makes use of different types of learning activities:
-problem-oriented case studies. Concrete research problems are used to illustrate how different research methods could be used;
-practical exercises and assignments on research techniques: observations, informal interviews, semi-structured interviews;
-analysis of primary research data, using multiple modes of analysis;
-computer analysis of secondary sets of data.

Examination:

- written exam with five open essay questions (55%);
- period Project assignment and participation in workshops (30%);
- participation in computer practical's and other assignments (15%);
Each component needs a minimum mark of 5.50 to pass.

Literature:

Course guide and literature at beginning of course.