The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing
Information from the course leader
Course planning for the autumn 2020 semester
The ongoing Covid pandemic means that teachers as well as students face a great deal of uncertainty in relation to course planning. We therefore urge all students enrolled in the course the Process of Research for the autumn 2020 semester to continue to closely monitor the SLU Covid pages and especially the student section for any changes or updates (via this link: https://student.slu.se/en/study-support/emergencies-and-incidents/information-about-the-coronavirus/study/). On campus teaching is allowed in Sweden since June 2020 with extra social distancing. Classrooms are, however, reserved for first year students which means that courses like the Process of Research is not among the main ones to be allocated classroom space on campus. And the extra distancing regulations mean that this relatively large course (with 42 students enrolled as of late Aug 2020) will find only a few large enough lecture halls able to accommodate all students. International student visas regulations as well as the improved pedagogic outcomes of in person teaching do however compel us to continue to plan for on campus teaching. The course leaders are thus going ahead with plans for parts of the course to be online and some activities on campus. A detailed timeline will be posted in the first weeks of September. With this in mind we urge all students to plan to return to Uppsala if possible to attend classes in person during the autumn. Please do not hesitate to contact us for any further details. Patrik & Johanna
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LU0091-20131 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for LU0091
Academic year 2023/2024
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20214)
2023-10-31 - 2024-01-14
Academic year 2022/2023
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20064)
2022-11-01 - 2023-01-15
Academic year 2021/2022
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20131)
2021-11-02 - 2022-01-16
Academic year 2019/2020
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20040)
2019-11-01 - 2020-01-19
Academic year 2018/2019
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20106)
2018-11-05 - 2019-01-20
Academic year 2017/2018
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20029)
2017-10-30 - 2018-01-14
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LU0091 The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing, 15.0 Credits
Forskningsprocessen: kvalitativa metoder, dataanalys och akademiskt skrivandeSubjects
Environmental Science Rural Development Rural Development Environmental scienceEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Critical reflections on research design | 5.0 | 0202 |
| Analysing methodological decisions | 5.0 | 0203 |
| MSc thesis research proposal | 5.0 | 0204 |
Advanced study in the main field
Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsMaster’s level (A1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Equivalent to 120 credits within social, natural sciences or the humanities, of which 90 credits within a particular major. Knowledge equivalent to English B (Swedish educational system), English 550 or higher TOEFL or English 5,5 or higher IELTS.Objectives
The aim of this course is to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to use relevant research methods and approaches to data analysis, so as to produce clearly structured academic research texts.
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
select relevant research methods in relation to a given research problem
maintain a reflexive position in relation to the selected research methods and be able to apply these in specific contexts, taking important ethical aspects into consideration
structure and write an academic research text
present a research proposal for a research project on rural and/or environmental aspects, such as rural livelihoods, natural resources management or environmental issues, including a thematic and theoretical background
present an analysis of published research texts, concerning rural and/or environmental aspects, such as rural livelihoods, natural resources management or environmental problems
Content
The course consists of lectures and individual and group seminar assignments.
The course prepares students with the skills for identifying and selecting methods in the planning execution of their master thesis. The research methods that the student may select cover qualitative research methods with a focus on primary data collection via for example ethnographic methods. Quantitative methods such as surveys will also be briefly covered. Emphasis is placed on training students to write analytically and academically.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
For successful completion of the course the student must participate in compulsory sessions and give in a portfolio that comprise approved exams and assignments.
- If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
- The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
- If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Urban and Rural Development
Further information
Grading criteria
Grading Criteria
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing, 15 hp, LU0091, 2020-21
Examiner: Patrik Oskarsson
Course objectives as detailed in the syllabus:
- Select relevant research methods in relation to a given research problem
- Develop theoretical and practical knowledge of individually selected research methods so as to gather and analyse relevant data in relation to a specific research problems
- Maintain a reflexive position in relation to the selected research methods and be able to account for their scientific history and context
- Structure and write a scientific text
- Present a research proposal for a research project concerning rural and/or environmental aspects, such as rural livelihoods, natural resources management or environmental issues
- Construct a thorough synopsis of the proposed master thesis
- Present a thematic and theoretical background of the proposed master thesis
- Present an analysis of a published research presentation, concerning rural and/or environmental aspects, such as rural livelihoods, natural resources management or environmental problems
Fulfilling all the course objectives is required in order to receive the grade 3. In order to receive a higher grade, that is grade 4 or 5, additional learning needs to be demonstrated as indicated below.
|
|
Objective 1, 2 & 3 |
Objective 4 |
Objective 5, 6 & 7 |
Objective 8 |
|
Weight |
30% |
10% |
50% |
10% |
|
Type of examination |
Written assignment 1, field day and seminars in block 2 |
Written assignments 1, 2 & 3 |
Written assignment 3 (research proposal), seminars |
Written assignment 2 |
|
5 |
4 and a demonstrated ability to reflect on the connections between methodological choice and theory. |
|
4 and an ability to reflect on links between methodological choices including approaches to research design and the use of theory. |
Not graded. |
|
4 |
3 and an ability to provide a detailed analysis for the reasons behind making certain methodological choices. |
3 and an ability to write clearly and in a concise manner with different parts of the written work clearly outlined and connected to one another. |
3 and the ability to provide a reflective analysis which relates to the choice methods and approaches to research design discussed in the course. |
Not graded. |
|
3 |
The student shows an ability to select relevant research methods for a specific research problem and reflect on these practically and theoretically including in the positionality of the researcher. |
The student is able to structure and write a text which conforms to academic formatting and content practices. |
The student demonstrates ability to present a research proposal on a relevant topic which includes a clear and coherent structure, required content and a discussion on appropriate research design and methods as discussed in the course literature. |
The student shows an ability to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of published research on a relevant topic in relation to methodological choice and research design. |
|
U |
|
|
|
|
Litterature list
- Course Literature The Process of Research: Methods, Data Analysis and Scientific Writing, 15 hp, LU0091, 2020-21 [Course Literature The Process of Research: Methods, Data Analysis and Scientific Writing, 15 hp, LU0091, 2020-21] (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-7eiFQr8tdg_TyLRjPbfAEU3LLowTPe4/view?usp=sharing)