400022 Qualitative Methods in Agricultural Development

Details
Forest & Landscape   70 %
Department of Large Animal Sciences   10 %
Department of Food Science   10 %
Department of Agriculture and Ecology   10 %
Earliest Possible YearMSc. 1 year
DurationOne block
 
Credits7.5 (ECTS)
Course LevelMSc
 
ExaminationFinal Examination

written examination and oral examination

Practical Examination


All aids allowed

Description of Examination: The group report is compulsory. Marks are given individually. Therefore, it must appear from the report exactly who has written what. Each individual contribution must be graded to a min of 02 on the 7-point scale. An oral exam is conducted on basis of research cases.

Weight: The compulsory group project counts for 33% of final mark. Oral exam counts for 67% of final mark.



7-point scale, internal examiner
 
Requirement For Attending ExamTimely submission of project report.
 
Organisation of TeachingLectures, group project, casedescriptions, theoretical exercises
 
Block PlacementBlock 1
Week Structure: A
 
Teaching LanguageEnglish
 
RestrictionsNone
 
Course Contents
The course is a compulsory part of the M.Sc. programme Agricultural Development, but is also highly relevant for others interested in research design and methodology. The skills acquired through this course will be useful for research in all agricultural systems (cropping, forest and livestock), and relevant for academic work at all levels.

Knowledge on available qualitative methods suitable to apply in research on Agricultural Development Some knowledge about quantitative methods and tools for project planning. Understanding pros and cons of each method

The course goes through the research process by designing the research and selecting methods to complement disciplinary skills in order to get the full benefit of subsequent thematic courses, thesis work and post-graduate career. Specifically, the students will have the possibility to acquire knowledge within:
- to plan and conduct fieldwork;
- when and how to apply selected techniques for data collection and analysis (interview,
questionnaire and different rapid appraisals; and
- relating natural resource management to household livelihood strategies.

The student will, among other things, obtain knowledge on:
- research processes and design
- planning and conducting fieldwork
- qualitative data collection methods
- quantitative data collection methods
- data recording
- how to assess the reliability and validity of data
- data quality
- systems thinking in problem analysis
 
Teaching And Learning Methods
Lectures and theoretical exercises to introduce the research process, methodologies, data collection methods and case studies, and to encourage critical reflection of both research design and selection and application of methods. The students will write a group project report including research design, data collection and data analysis.
 
Learning Outcome
The main aim of the course is for the students to obtain essential skills in relation to conducting field research, particularly in developing countries. The students will demonstrate that they have obtained these skills through their contributions to group project reports, and through oral exams.

The objective is that at the end of the course, the students can demonstrate that they

Knowledge:
1. Can describe the research methods, the theoretical aspects of these methods, and other aspects of field research which have been introduced during the course, compendium and classes
2. Can describe the Logical Framework approach both as a participatory project management tool and as a tool for presenting a project

Skills:
3. Can formulate a research question and/or a research problem, and can define and make the key concepts operational for an empirical enquiry in the field.
4. Can identify and choose research methods suitable for answering a particular research question/problem given a particular empirical context
5. Can argue convincingly for their choice of methods referring to theory as well as to the given empirical context.
6. Can elaborate a realistic time line for field research
7. Can apply the research methods introduced at the course
8. Can critically evaluate the quality (reliability/validity) of a given set of primary and secondary data, analyse data and draw conclusions in relation to a given research question/problem.
9. Are able to apply and critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the LFA approach both as a participatory project management tool and as a tool for presenting a project.

Competences
10. Through the project work, the students will demonstrate that they can work in a team under time pressure



 
Course Litterature
Useful as introduction to the field:
Mikkelsen,B. 2005. Methods for Development Work and Research. A New Guide for Practitioners, SAGE.
 
Course Coordinator
Iben Nathan, in@life.ku.dk, Forest & Landscape Denmark/Unit of Forestry, Phone: 35331736
 
Study Board
Study Committee NSN
 
Course Scope
lectures32
project work75
theoretical exercises32
examination2
preparation50
supervision15

206