The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing
Information from the course leader
Dear students,
we look forward to engaging critically in discussions and practices around environmental governance with you!
This course includes a mandatory field trip with overnight stay for two nights scheduled to 7-9 May. The field trip is a great adventure and learning experience and has been much appreciated by students.
The majority of the cost for the field trip will be covered by the course.
Importantly, it will not be possible to compensate for a missed field trip with other course activities, therefore, make sure that you can participate in the field trip when signing up. Do not hesitate to reach out if you want to take the course but think you will have problems joining the field trip, and we can see if we together can figure out a solution, or if you have other questions: klara.fischer@slu.se
Looking forward to meeting you in the course, Klara, Christoffer and Alejandra
Course evaluation
Additional course evaluations for LU0091
Academic year 2024/2025
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20110)
2024-11-01 - 2025-01-19
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 2020/2021
The Process of Research: Qualitative Methods, Data Analysis and Academic Writing (LU0091-20131)
2020-11-02 - 2021-01-17
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 DevelopmentEducation cycle
Master’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Research design and process | 5.0 | 0302 |
| Methods for data collection | 5.0 | 0303 |
| Methods for analysis | 5.0 | 0304 |
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
Subject-related content
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.
Teaching formats
To further student learning and promote discussion, a variety of methods are used:
Lectures, literature studies, exercises, written assignments, oral assignments, seminars, presentations.
The course focuses on the following generic competencies:
Critical thinking, problem solving, scientific methods, oral communication, written communication, ability to work autonomously, plan and manage time.
The following components are mandatory:
See course schedule.
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
- Passed written or oral exam(s)
- Active participation in mandatory activities
For further information, please refer to the course schedule.
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 assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a 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
Litterature list
Mandatory readings:
Below you will find the mandatory readings for the course. we will publish the suggested readings in the coming weeks. later on you will get specific instructions about which readings that apply to which lectures and assignments. The most important reading is found in the two course books (Creswell and Creswell; and Robson).
Creswell, John W., and J. David Creswell (2018). 5th edition. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications. **The following chapters are mandatory: 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. **The rest of the book is optional. Other editions are also fine, but please note that chapter numbers refer to the fifth edition.
Bowen, Glenn A. (2006). Grounded theory and sensitizing concepts. International journal of qualitative methods 5(3), 12-23.
Jacobson, K. (2013). *From Betterment to Bt maize: Agricultural Development and the Introduction of Genetically Modified Maize to South African Smallholders *(PhD Doctoral thesis). Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala. Found here: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/10406/1/Jacobson_k_130507.pdf (Section 2.2 as an example of a short literature review that points out a research gap)
Fischer, K et al. (2015). Social Impacts of GM Crops in Agriculture: A Systematic Literature Review. Sustainability, vol. 7, no. 7, s. 8598-8620, 2015.
Robson, Colin. (2002). Real world research: A resource for social scientists and practitioner-researchers. Wiley-Blackwell. The following chapters are mandatory: Chapter 2 on Approaches to social research, Chapter 3 on Developing your ideas, Chapter 4 on General design issues, and Chapter 10 on Ethical and political considerations, Chapter 18 on The Analysis and Interpretation of Qualitative data. The rest of the book is optional. Other editions are fine, but please note that chapter numbers refer to the fourth edition.
Long, J. W., Ballard, H. L., Fisher, L. A., & Belsky, J. M. (2016). Questions that won't go away in participatory research. Society & Natural Resources, 29(2), 250-263.
Moon, Katie, and Deborah Blackman. (2014). A guide to understanding social science research for natural scientists. Conservation Biology 28(5), 1167-1177.
Prowse, M. (2010). Integrating reflexivity into livelihoods research. Progress in Development Studies, 10(3), 211-231.
Swedberg, Richard. (2014). The Art of Social Theory. Princeton; Oxford: Princeton University Press. (pages 1 to 97 are mandatory, the rest of the book is optional).