Preparing Global Forestry Fieldwork
Course content
The course is a preparatory course for the Global Forestry Field Course (subsequently organised by the University of Padova and the Technical University of Dresden): the focus is on developing a minor research project implemented during the subsequent field course in a low or middle-income country in the Global South. The course covers the research process, from idea generation to identifying specific objectives and research questions, and the development of data collection instruments. This includes developing (i) a concise introduction and justification, leading to identification of a research gap; (ii) general and specific objectives, and operational research questions and hypotheses; (iii) frameworks and data needs; (iv) appropriate data collection instruments; (v) data recording procedures and analyses; all collected in (vi) a fieldwork project proposal. The course also covers issues related to a general introduction to the case country and study area, such as natural resource management policies and forest types, as well as training in locating and assessing white and grey literature. In addition, the course pays particular attention to practical considerations concerning fieldwork, such as ethics, personal safety, training, and managing enumerators.
MSc Programme in Global Forestry
The course aims to provide students with 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 preparing for fieldwork.
- Be familiar with the research process (until the implementation stage).
- Realise the need to acquire in-depth, location-specific factual knowledge.
- Gain in-depth knowledge of the topic addressed in the 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 lower-income 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 teaching and exercises in the classroom, supplemented with web-based activities as appropriate. Students will apply concepts acquired during theoretical modules. Each student will participate in a faculty-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.
Note that the course is aimed at GLOFOR students who will
subsequently implement fieldwork in an associated course at another
European university.
The course is designed to give students an introduction to
empirical data collection and research project synopsis writing.
The courses Global Forests and People, Systems of Sustainable
Forestry, and Participatory Natural Resource Governance Management
offer helpful background knowledge.
Academic qualifications equivalent to a BSc degree are
recommended.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Portfolio
- Type of assessment details
- Students work in groups; each group will develop a research
synopsis. The final grade will be based on (i) the research
synopsis and (ii) individual student peer-review of other
groups' research synopses (each student must prepare
500-word/synopsis evaluations).
Students must pass both examinations individually to pass the overall exam.
Weight: Research synopsis 60%, Review of the other group synopses 40%. - Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
One internal censor
- Re-exam
-
4-hour written assignment (take-home exam). The assignment will cut across the learning outcome of the course.
Criteria for exam assessment
See Learning Outcome
- Category
- Hours
- Lectures
- 16
- Preparation
- 90
- Project work
- 90
- 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 places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single-subject student. - 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
- Carsten Smith-Hall (3-677773446d6a7673326f7932686f)
Teacher
Guest lecturers. Group supervisors from participating universities in the MSc in Global Forestry.
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Kursusinformation for indskrevne studerende