MERGED Intra-semester Workshop

The workshops includes the preparation and development of a presentation containing a research synthesis, and then its presentation

presentation to the group and critical discussion, emphasizing methodological issues

During the workshops, the student formulates, defines and operationalizes scientific issues within scientific fields natural or social sciences, in the context of broadly understood global development.

The course takes place at one of the MERGED partner universities for three days between the first and second semesters in the second year of study. It includes preparation before arrival, lectures, exercises, and feedback from peers and senior faculty members. The course is planned and taught by a team of faculties from the University of Milan (Italy), the University of Warsaw (Poland), and the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).

This workshop focuses on contributing to the development of each MERGED student’s draft thesis synopsis, including by providing external feedback.

The course begins with reading at home, preparation of a draft thesis synopsis, and subsequent workshop efforts to develop the drafts. All students will work with their own draft synopsis and receive feedback, as well as provide feedback to other students.

During this course, students will discuss various aspects of preparing thesis work. Given the diversity of theses, these topics will vary from student to student, ranging from doing literature reviews to designing data collection and planning for data analysis.

The input developed as part of the MERGEDLink workshop respects the usual student-supervisor relationships, including the responsibility of the supervisor to approve the synopsis.

ANGELSEN, A., SMITH-HALL, C. and OVERGAARD LARSEN, H. 2011. Composing a research proposal. Measuring livelihoods and environmental dependence: methods for research and fieldwork. A. Angelsen, H. O. Larsen, J. F. Lund, C. Smith-Hall and S. Wunder (Eds). Edinburgh, UK, Earthscan: 33 50.

BOOTH, W. C., COLOMB, G. G. and WILLIAMS, J. M. 2008. Chapter 4. From Questions to a Problem. The craft of research. Chicago, USA, University of Chicago Press: 51-67.

CHOGUILL, C. L. 2005. The research design matrix: A tool for development planning research studies. Habitat International 29(4): 615-626.

CRESWELL, J. W. 2009. Chapter 3: The use of theory. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Los Angeles, USA, Sage: 49-72.

CRESWELL, J. W. 2009. Chapter 7: Research questions and hypotheses. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Los Angeles, USA, Sage: 129-144

SALKIND, N. J. 2012. 100 questions (and answers) about research methods. Los Angeles, USA, Sage: 5, 12, 13, 57.

TROCHIM, W. M. K. 2006. Types of data. Research methods knowledge base. Cornell University. From http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/datatype.php.

TROCHIM, W. M. K. 2006. Variables. Research methods knowledge base. Cornell University. From http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/variable.php

SHUTTLEWORTH, M. 2008. Research variables. Experiment Resources. From http://www.experiment-resources.com/research-variables.html.

SHUTTLEWORTH, M. 2008. Choosing scientific measurement. Experiment Resources. From http://www.experiment-resources.com/scientific-measurements.html.

YIN, R. K. 2010. Figure 1.1. Case study research: design and methods. London, UK, Sage: 8.

STEWART-WITHERS, R., BANKS, G., MCGREGOR, A. AND MEO-SEWABU L. 2014. Qualitative Methods. In Scheyvens, R. (Ed.) Development Fieldwork: A Practical Guide. SAGE Publications Ltd.

Student knows and understands

K_W01 - key theories and current debates related to environment and development;

K_W02 - field data collection methods (in both natural and social science fields);

K_W03 - critical aspects of working at the junction of environment and development;

K_W04 - fundamentals of the philosophy of science for interdisciplinary and intercultural research and work across the social and natural sciences;

K_W05 - concepts of: inquiry, reflection, integrity, open-mindedness, evidence-based thinking, collegiality in conducting research on environment and development;

KW_07 - the principles of creation and development of various forms of entrepreneurship nationally and globally.

Student is able to

K_U01 - apply and assess own knowledge, skills, and competencies in relation to complex, interdisciplinary problems emerging at the junction of environment preservation and development requirements;

K_U02 - work on the questions relating to environment and development in interdisciplinary and intercultural groups;

K_U03 - apply research methods adequate for environment and development research;

K_U04 - analyse the validity and reliability of multidisciplinary natural and social science data;

K_U05 - distinguish the specificities of various research disciplines related to environment and development studies and define their boundaries;

K_U06 - identify, analyse, and communicate environment and development research questions to both professionals and non-professionals, in various communication situations, using modern and appropriate information and communication tools;

K_U07 - use intellectual, practical, numeracy, communication, interpersonal, team work, as well as information and communication technology in environment and development research activities;

K_U08 - analyse and interpret different forms of environment and development data to generate consistent conclusions;

K_U09 - use English at an advanced level and use specialist terminology in English in papers and oral presentations

Student is ready to:

K_K01 - critically analyse on and discuss environment and development questions;

K_K02 - reflect on the benefits and challenges related to practising interdisciplinarity in the field of environment and development research;

K_K03 - discuss and exchange arguments on a particular case generalise these for a broader research perspective;

K_K04 - display the competence, behaviour, and attitudes required in professional working life, including the ability to work on environment and development questions in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams in both the private and public sectors, based on reflection, integrity, open-mindedness, evidence-based thinking, and collegiality;

K_K05 - communicate environment and development questions in a clear, concise manner both orally and in writing so that they are understandable for persons from in and outside their field;

Based on the submission of the draft thesis synopsis; presence during workshop; student’s active involvement in activities during the workshop and discussions.