2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue
PIED5766M Research Methodology for Development
15 creditsClass Size: 40
Module manager: Dr.Winifred Bedigen
Email: w.bedigen@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2017/18
This module is not approved as an Elective
Module summary
On completion of this module, you should be able to:-- Understand social constructivist and positivist research approaches and the differences between qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches;- Find appropriate secondary data from published, unpublished and web-based sources;- Understand how to link research questions to methodological approach and methods;- Demonstrate familiarity with a range of participatory development methodologies (PRA, PLA, etc.);- Be able to use specific research methods from the PRA suite as well as general qualitative methods;- Understand basic principles of qualitative data analysis;- Plan a development research project or dissertation.Brief Reading ListKumar, S. (2003) Methods for Community Participation: A complete guide for practitioners. ITDG publishing.Laws, Sophie with C. Harper and R. Marcus (2003) Research for Development: A Practical Guide. London : Sage with Save the Children. Mikkelsen B. (2005) Methods for Development Work and Research: A Guide for Practitioners. Sage: New Delhi.Pole, R. and R. Lampard (2002) Practical Social Investigation: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Social Research Prentice Hall/Pearson EducationPotter, R. and V. Desai (2006) Doing Development Research. London: Sage Publications. (especially ch. 1 The raison d’être of doing development research).Objectives
On completion of this module, you should be able to:- engage in debates about research and ethics;
- appreciate the relevance of both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches and data;
- find appropriate secondary data from published, unpublished and web-based sources;
- demonstrate familiarity with a range of participatory development methodologies (PRA, PLA, RRA etc);
- use a select range of research methods from the PRA suite as well as general qualitative methods;
- plan a development research project or dissertation.
Syllabus
This module is delivered in workshop format and introduces students to the logic and parameters of the research process. The relevance of both qualitative and quantitative data and evidence are discussed, along with issues of practicality, ethics and epistemology in the research process.
Students will learn about the scope and limitations of the range of participatory data collection tools most frequently used in current development research and practice. They will develop practical skills in a selected range of Participatory Rapid Appraisal methods well as conventional qualitative research techniques, and understand the applications of a mixed methods approach.
The course provides transferable research skills and teaches students most appropriate approaches and methods for research in development contexts; prepares for undertaking and critically appraising both academic research (dissertations/theses) and policy oriented research.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Workshop | 5 | 2.00 | 10.00 |
Private study hours | 140.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 10.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150.00 |
Private study
Students will be required to prepare for discussions in seminars through extensive reading of sources listed on the module reading list. In addition to this, students should spend time preparing for their assessments which should include finding and using sources not listed on their reading list.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Assignment | 3,000 words, research proposal (End of Term) | 100.00 |
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 28/07/2017
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- Undergraduate module catalogue
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