Course Code: R106

Course Title: Research methods

College: SOAS CEDEP

Course Director: Rebecca Kent

Course Description: Applied research in the fields of rural development, agriculture and the environment frequently crosses disciplinary boundaries. Decision makers in these areas need to have an understanding of research in both social and natural science; this module therefore considers research methods for both natural and social science research.

The collection and analysis of data cannot be independent of theoretical issues, and we therefore give some attention to considering different approaches to research. We aim to provide an introduction to these issues and highlight why they are important. Similarly our treatment of data collection and analysis can be viewed as providing a starting point from which you can explore the complex and often contentious topic of research methods.

The focus of this course is to provide you with the skills needed to conduct research of sufficient quality and rigour that enables it to be useful for decision making. You will also be able to assess the quality of information that comes your way and view other people's research with a critical eye.

In Part I we concentrate on the nature and role of research and on principles and methods of sampling and data collection. In Part II we consider the analysis of quantitative data and introduce the software package SPSS. This is followed by an examination of the processes and procedure involved in qualitative data analysis before finishing with a consideration of ethics and research dissemination.

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Recognise the epistemological and ontological positions underlying dominant research traditions

• Formulate and write research questions, hypotheses and research objectives and select a research design

• Discuss the importance of a sampling strategy in both quantitative and qualitative research and be familiar with key sampling methods

• Undertake a critical literature review and recognise the strengths and weaknesses in secondary data

• Explain basic statistical concepts and principles, choose appropriate statistical tests to look for differences in data and apply these tests using SPSS.

• Describe the basic procedures for the thematic analysis of qualitative data and be able to prepare, code and analyse qualitative data

• Write a research proposal that demonstrates an understanding of the research process and the key principles of research ethics

• Identify appropriate routes for the dissemination of research findings.

Assessment: 2 Assignments

Course Credit: All SOAS CeDEP short course students receive a certificate of completion. Students of SOAS CeDEP Short Courses who may wish to transfer credit to Certificate, Diploma or Masters-level programmes are advised to select short courses which also act as Core Modules on CeDEP's various programmes.

Course Study Hours/Duration: 240 hrs over 35 weeks

Schedule of Availability: Feb - Oct (Enrolment deadline prior to Feb start - 30th November)

Delivery Mechanisms: Print; CD-Rom; Online Discussion

Cost: £960

How to apply: To enquire about applying for this course, or for any other information, please contact the Course Administrator using the online Enquiry Form below