Cancelled Preparing Field Work in the Tropics
Course content
The course is a preparatory course for the Sustainable Tropical
Forestry Spring School: the focus is on developing a minor research
project (that will then be implemented during the subsequent spring
school taking place in the Global South). The course includes
understanding of: the general environment in the country in which
the subsequent spring school will take place, e.g. regarding
natural resources management policies and forest types; training in
locating and assessing white and grey literature on the research
project topic; conducting critical online discussions as part of
project preparation; preparing and analysing empirically oriented
project synopses; selecting appropriate data collection
instruments; finalising a field work project proposal. The course
thus covers the entire research process until the implementation
phase. Particular attention is paid to practical considerations in
connection to field work, e.g. ethics, personal safety, training
and managing enumerators.
MSc Programme in Forests and Livelihoods
The aim of the course is to impart to the students a thorough
understanding of the importance of field work preparation.
After finishing the course the student is expected to be able to:
Knowledge:
Understand the importance of field work preparation
Be familiar with the research process (until implementation stage)
Realise the need to acquire in-depth location specific factual
knowledge
Gain in-depth knowledge of topic addressed in research synopsis
Skills:
Apply principles, theories and frameworks to locally specific
knowledge/conditions
Collect, analyse and evaluate quantitative and qualitative
information
Select and design relevant data collection instruments
Design a clear and coherent research project synopsis
Reflect on risks and ethics in relation to data collection in
developing countries
Competences:
Argue cogently and think critically within the parameters of a
particular academic discipline
Demonstrate the values of scholarship: inquiry, reflection,
integrity, open mindedness, evidence-based thinking, collegiality
Tackle problems by collecting, analysing and evaluating appropriate
qualitative and quantitative information and using it
creatively
The course is provided through a web-based teaching and learning system. Students will apply concepts acquired during theoretical modules. Each student will participate in a supervised group; supervision will be provided by supervisors from participating European universities and co-supervisors from the hosting university (i.e. the university hosting the subsequent spring school). Each group will prepare a project proposal on a given research topic, and each student will assess the other groups’ synopses.
Course material consists of selected scientific articles and book chapters. Students identify additional group specific literature.
The course is designed to give students from a broad range of
educations an introduction to empirical data collection and
research project synopsis writing. The courses Tropical Forests,
People and Policies; Participatory Forest Management; Livelihoods
and Environmental Change offer useful but not critical additional
background knowledge.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree is
recommended.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Portfolio
- Type of assessment details
- Students will work in groups; each group will develop a
research synopsis. Final grade will be based on (i) the research
synopsis, and (ii) individual student peer-review of two other
groups' research synopses (each student must prepare a 500
word/synopsis evaluation).
Students must pass the part-examinations individually in order to pass the overall exam.
Weight: Research synopsis 50%, Review of the other group synopses 50%. - Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
One internal censor
Criteria for exam assessment
See criteria in Learning Outcome
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Preparation
- 120
- Project work
- 76
- Guidance
- 10
- English
- 206
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- LNAK10097U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedulegroup
-
Teaching is entirely online
- Capacity
- 35
The number of seats may be reduced in the late registration period - Studyboard
- Study Board of Natural Resources, Environment and Animal Science
Contracting department
- Department of Food and Resource Economics
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinator
- Thorsten Treue (3-7b7b7947706d797635727c356b72)
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