The completion of a minimum of 22.5 credits with a progression in Communication for Development as a main field of study.

The aim of this course is to give the students the opportunity to gain practical experience of applying research methods, and to reflect upon and discuss methodological issues of relevance for Communication for Development in general, and the study they are planning to pursue during their final degree project in particular.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING

After completing the course, the student demonstrates:

(1) an understanding of the principles and rationale of a range of methods, research paradigms and approaches of relevance to Communication for Development,

(2) in-depth knowledge about advantages and disadvantages of specific research methods, and

(3) the capacity to develop and apply a research design and framework in a meaningful, critical, ethical and self-reflective way.

SKILLS AND ABILITY

After completing the course, students will be able:

(4) to apply methodological tools, formulate research questions, design a study, implement and select methods appropriate for specific research needs,

(5) to critically reflect upon methodological aspects related to various research paradigms, and to understand the relationship between theoretical frameworks and choice of methods.

CRITICAL SKILLS AND APPROACH

After completing the course, the student demonstrates:

(6) the capacity to critically reflect upon their own role and position as researchers, regarding matters such as bias, power dimensions, ethical aspects as well as limitations and strengths of the methods,

(7) the critical awareness needed to discuss and analyse ethical problems connected to methods and research in the area Communication for Development,

(8) awareness of the risks and harms of different research methods and designs in Communication for Development research, and

(9) methodological reflection upon issues such as epistemology and ontology.

Lectures, field observation, in-class exercises, group work, literature studies and individual essay assignments.

The course is examined through three assignments:

1) an individual observation exercise tocarry out a field-observation. The student fills in a template with field observations and writes a 1500 word reflection which is assessed individually. (1 credit, pass/fail grading scale, learning outcomes 1, 2),

2) a literature reading group exercise. The students work in a group reading a selection of literature. They prepare a reading seminar presentation, which functions as the oral assessment, with a facilitated group debate. The reading group exercise is assessed orally. Those who are not present at the reading seminar, write a one-page summary of their contribution to the group and the presentation instead. The student are assessed individually. (2 credits, pass/fail grading scale, learning outcomes 4, 5 & 7)

3) a final individual assignment ( 5.5 credits, AU grading scale, learning outcomes 3, 6, 7, 8 & 9) for which the student writes an essay providing a critical evaluation of at least two different methods andshould get the opportunity to gain practical experience by applying (at least) one particular research method of their own choice to an imaginary thesis project.

Students should develop and formulate research questions, reflect upon and discuss methodological issues and challenges of relevance to the field of Communication for Development in general, and the thesis they are planning to pursue during the subsequent Degree Project course in particular.

Given, Lisa (ed.) (2012): The SAGE Encyclopedia of Qualitative Research Methods. London: Sage.

Regina Scheyvens (ed) Development Fieldwork: A Practical Guide, 2nd edition. London: Sage

A selection of classic readings is shared with students for the group exercise

An anonymous electronic course evaluation is made at the end of the course. The electronic evaluation is accessible for all students.

Access to computer with Internet connection (broadband) is required.