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Research Design (Human Diversity)

Vak
2018-2019

Tags

HD

Admissions requirements

Successful completion of Academic Writing; all three compulsory 100-level courses in HD and ideally one of the two required methods courses.

Description

This is a hands-on course that aims to inform and assist students pursuing a research project in the fields related to the Human Diversity major.

A research project necessarily brings together your understanding of epistemology (the multiple natures and forms of knowledge) and methodology (the methods and techniques associated with the production of evidence-based knowledge). Thus, the research design is the roadmap that helps the researcher define:

  • what does s/he want to investigate?

  • how does it need to be done?

  • why is it important and relevant to do it in this way?

Research design is the crucial first step in the research cycle students will all face when writing their individual capstone projects. As a first step, research design is heavily dependent on thinking and planning, two activities that would require students to imagine, adapt and negotiate what they really want to do (or think they want to do) with what can actually be done in a feasible manner.

Course objectives

In terms of knowledge, by the end of this course students will be able to:

  • Recognize the different epistemological perspectives underpinning different methodological approaches of research design.

  • Identify a valid, enjoyable and operational research question.

  • Identify the connection between your research question and the type of evidence required to address it.

  • Produce a feasible research design that is reflected in a research proposal.

  • Learn how effectively connect theory and practice in the various steps of your research design and capstone projects.

In terms of skills, students be able to:

  • Conduct their own small-scale research design project.

  • Write a convincing research proposal.

  • Critically evaluate your own research design in comparison with others.

Timetable

Once available, timetables will be published here.

Mode of instruction

Two weekly meetings spread over seven weeks comprise the structure of the course. The seminars are conducted based on a workshop modality in order to facilitate the practical elements of the course.

Assessment

  • Participation – 15%

  • Research journal/logs – 15%

  • Research skills presentation (in groups) – 20%

  • Pitching your research (peer-reviewed) – 15%

  • Final research proposal – 35%

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

TBA

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Daniela Vicherat-Mattar
d.a.vicherat.mattar@luc.leidenuniv.nl