DEVELOP 712 : Undertaking Development Research

Arts

2022 Semester One (1223) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Provides students with an overview of all phases of development research, from the theoretical framing of research, methods employed, ethical considerations, and the completion of a research proposal which can be used as the basis of an MA thesis proposal.

Course Overview

The aim of this course is to deepen students’ understanding of the purpose of research in development and equip them with the methodical and analytical skills of conducting their own research project.
The course aims to provide students with an overview of all phases of development research, from the design and theoretical framing of research, ethical considerations, methods employed for data collection and data analysis through to writing a development research proposal. The course examines the way in which theory shapes research methodology and introduces a variety of methods and tools for qualitative and mixed-method development research.

By the end of this semester, students should know:
  • Key theoretical arguments used in framing different research approaches in development studies
  • The importance of ethics in research, and how to assess the potential impact of development research on research participants and the broader communities
  • How to draw on a suite of methods and tools appropriate for their research data collection and analysis
  • How to write a development studies research proposal

By the end of this semester, students should be able to think critically about development research and be able to:
  • Understand quality criteria in development research
  • Evaluate research from an ethical perspective
  • Skilfully choose and employ a range of strategies and methods for data collection, analysis and writing 
  • Write a development studies research proposal

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: Approval of the Academic Head or nominee

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Arts

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Understand and explain quality criteria in development research (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  2. Evaluate research from an ethical perspective (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  3. Critically evaluate and choose from a range of strategies and methods for data collection, analysis and writing (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  4. Write a development studies research proposal (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Ethics Assignment 20% Individual Coursework
Fieldwork Assignment 40% Group & Individual Coursework
Research Proposal 40% Individual Coursework

Next offered

Semester 1 2022

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, every week you can expect 2 hours of seminar, 3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 5 hours of project work.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience or Online

This course is available for delivery to students studying remotely outside NZ in 2022.

This course is offered in two delivery modes:

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including seminars to complete components of the course.

Lectures and seminars will be made available as recordings after class. 

The course will include live online events.

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable and supervised teamwork.

Online

Attendance is expected at scheduled live Zoom lectures and seminars to complete components of the course.

The course will include live online events including lectures, seminars and discussions and these will be recorded.

Attendance on campus is not required, as all assignments are submitted as coursework (no exam).

Where possible, study material will be available at course commencement throughout the course, with the possibility of minor adjustments released progressively throughout the course.

This course runs to the University semester timetable and all the associated completion dates and deadlines will apply.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 02/11/2021 04:48 p.m.