SDC-33306 Methodology for Field Research in the Social Sciences

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

English

Contents:

This MSc course offers students the possibility to acquaint themselves with social science field research methodology, in particular a range of qualitative and quantitative methods. The focus is on issues of development and change. The problems of doing research in a situation outside one's own society are stressed. Through undertaking a small research project, students will also have the opportunity to engage on a practical basis with research design, methods, techniques, data analysis, and reporting research.
Major attention is given to:
- implications of methodology and social theory for research (for example choice of a research paradigm and/or perspectives);
- the definition and selection of appropriate units of analysis (organization, group, farm, household, village, region);
- the strengths and weaknesses of different methods for data collection (interviews, questionnaires, participant and non-participant observation, focused group discussions, sensorial research, analysis of (virtual) documents and material artefacts);
- choice of appropriate sample: selection of cases/ informants/ respondents and sampling within cases;
- methods of recording data (e.g. writing field-notes and transcripts);
- different procedures for data analysis and processing (analysing field-notes, grounded theorizing);
- presenting and reporting field research;
- reflexivity and ethics of field research.
Practical cases and (individual and group) exercises are scheduled to facilitate an active learning process. The organisation 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.

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to design and carry out primary field research, and analyse and further process information derived from it.
In terms of knowledge, this entails the following intended learning outcomes:
- 1.Demonstrate a basic understanding of methodological key issues (such as epistemology, the relations between quantitative and qualitative research, the possibility of mixed methods research, ethics, reflexivity) and assess positions in debates thereof;
- 2.Assess the strengths and limitations of a range of (qualitative and quantitative) research methods, and appreciate their complementarity in research contexts;
- 3.Design research using the range of qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques introduced in the course, making explicit their reasoning and showing how assumptions and data are questioned throughout the research process;
- 4.Write a research report, which builds on the own findings and shows incipient ethnographic thinking and reflexive reasoning.
In terms of research skills, this entails the following intended learning outcomes:
a. reflexively using of different research field methods and techniques (e.g. observations, ethnographic interviews, semi-structured and/or in-depth interviews, focused group discussions, other elicitation techniques, questionnaire design);
b. Creating, coding, and analysing their own empirical materials, including the making of field notes and transcripts;
c. Participating in research teams and co-presenting assignments (possibly with students from different disciplines), and peer-assessing research in terms of methodology.
In terms of attitude, the intended learning outcomes include:
- appreciate research as a creative, iterative and inherently reflexive process;
- appreciate methodological and ethical transparency in research.

Activities:

The course requires a full-time commitment over a period of four weeks. The 6 ECTS credits for the course commit students to a total of 168 hours. For this reason the programme of lectures, workshops, fieldwork, group assignments, and reading is scheduled to fill the entire day (Mon-Fri).
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;
- design research using various methods: observations, ethnographic interviews, semi-structured and/or in-depth interviews, elicitation, and possibly experiments and questionnaires;
- practical exercises and assignments on research methods and techniques;
- analysis of primary research data, using multiple modes of analysis;
- dissemination of research through a presentation and a research report.

Examination:

The examination consists of three components:
- written exam (open questions) 40%;
- group research project 50% (further specified in: final research report 20%, appendix of quantitative research design 10%, and appendix of the empirical materials created 20%);
- individual contribution to the practice and theory of the group project (specified in both paper and end presentation) 10%.
The minimum mark of each component is 5.5.
Failure to participate fully in workshops and/or the research project may lead to the deduction of points, whereas an excellent end presentation yields bonus points.

Literature:

Course guide and literature are available at the beginning of the course.