In this course students will prepare a master’s thesis proposal and a field research report. The focus is on the introduction to a thesis research project, choice of topic, research questions, methods for data collection and annotated bibliography. The course offers students the possibility to acquaint themselves with participatory action research, field research methods, in particular a range of qualitative methods and basic quantitative methods. The course gives emphasis to issues of complexity and change, and challenges of doing research in unfamiliar situations and locations. Critical reflection on various approaches for data collection and analysis, and on the relationship between specific research problems and related methods will be essential.

Attention is given to:

• the participatory action research process;
• challenges of doing action research, how to schedule the work, resources;
• basic understanding of epistemological and methodological issues;
• the strengths and weaknesses of different methods for data collection, analysis, and processing;
• choice of appropriate sample: selection of case(s)/participants and sampling within cases;
• reflection on field research and ethics;
• writing: the thesis proposal; how to present and report field research

After completion of this course students are expected to have the following knowledge, skills and general competences:

Knowledge

• Can design a thesis research proposal
• Know how get an overview of an area of research and present relevant literature related to this
• Can describe the topic of the master’s thesis research within this area
• Can describe the purpose of the topic and why it is relevant
• Can develop research questions and argue for this choice of questions
• Know how to present yourself to others as a researcher, the instrument through which we view the world
• Have knowledge about the ethics of action research
• Can design and conduct action research using the range of qualitative and quantitative methods and techniques introduced in the course

Skills

• Ability to describe the research strategy and methods
• Ability to define the core terms in the work and explain how you will "measure" them
• Ability to describe what kind of research this is, what the data sources are, what methods will be used for data collection, and why?
• Ability to assess the strengths and limitations of a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods and their complementarity in action research contexts
• Ability to assess the use of different research methods, techniques and procedures of analysis
• Ability to systematically record, organise, code and analyse empirical field material
• Ability to critically reflect on the various approaches for data collection and analysis, and on the relationship between specific research problems and related methods that you have become familiar with
• Ability to discuss the reliability and validity of the study and the results

General competences

• Ability to take the proper steps for handling of personal data in research and data management plans
• Ability to reflect on and critique the research process and what you learned about the techniques and about yourself as a researcher
• Ability to give your fellow students peer feedback in a positive and constructive way
• Ability to write a master’s thesis proposal
• Ability to report research that builds on own findings.

Lynn P. Nygaard. 2017. Writing Your Master's Thesis. SAGE Publications

Choose between the following methods books:

Bernard, H. Russell. 2017. Research Methods in Anthropology. Sixth Edition. AltaMira Press

or

Bryman, Alan. 2016. Social Research Methods. Fifth Edition. Oxford University Press

Additional course readings will be made available in class.

Participation in class (80 % required) and compulsory activities (group work, assignments, peer feedback, submission of a master thesis proposal and a field research report and a final presentation of these documents). 

Physical attendance is expected.

5 credits reduction with PAE304.

5 credits reduction with PAE305.