Preparing Global Forestry Fieldwork
Course content
The course is a preparatory course for the Global Forestry Field Course: the focus is on developing a minor research project (that will then be implemented during the subsequent field course in a low or middle-income country in the Global South). The course includes (i) an understanding of the general environment in the country, e.g. regarding natural resources management policies and forest types; (ii) training in locating and assessing white and grey literature on the research project topic; (iii) conducting critical discussions as part of project preparation; (iv) preparing and analysing empirically oriented project synopses; (v) selecting appropriate data collection instruments; (vi) finalising a fieldwork project proposal. The course thus covers the entire research process up to the implementation phase. In addition, the course pays particular attention to practical considerations concerning fieldwork, e.g. ethics, personal safety, training and managing enumerators.
MSc Programme in Global Forestry
The course aims to give the students a thorough understanding of
the importance of fieldwork preparation.
After finishing the course students are 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 classroom and web-based teaching and learning system. Students will apply concepts acquired during theoretical modules. Each student will participate in a supervised group; teachers from participating European universities and co-supervisors from the hosting university (i.e. the university hosting the subsequent field course) will provide supervision. Each group will prepare a project proposal on a given research topic, and each student will assess the other groups’ synopses.
The 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 and
People; Systems of Sustainable Forestry; Participatory Natural
Resource Governance Management; Livelihoods and Environmental
Change offer helpful 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 two 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
- Re-exam
-
Reexam: written assignment to be dowloaded from Digital Exam cutting across the materials covered in the course. 4 hours.
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
- NIFK23000U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
-
1 block
- Placement
- Block 2
- Schedulegroup
-
C
- Capacity
- 40
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 Coordinators
- Sofie Mortensen (4-78747274456e6b777433707a336970)
- Carsten Smith-Hall (3-677773446d6a7673326f7932686f)
Teacher
Thorsten Treue
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