I. Course Description and Overview

Research and Analysis in a Development Context

A course designed and taught by Roberta Hawkins

Course Description

This two-semester course prepares students to conduct research in a development context. It emphasizes power relations and supports students as they reflect on their own positionality and the development context of their research. Through reading, discussion and practice, students develop skills in areas such as: scoping research questions, data collection, data analysis, navigating ethical complexities and knowledge mobilization. There will be an emphasis on reflective writing and on communicating development research and analysis to diverse audiences.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, successful students will be able to:

1. Critically reflect on their position as researchers in a development context
2. Formulate research questions
3. Practice and reflect on data collection techniques
4. Practice and reflect on data analysis techniques
5. Consider ethical and other research dilemmas specific to development contexts by analyzing ‘real-world’ examples
6. Understand best practices for knowledge mobilization
7. Clearly communicate research results visually to relevant audiences
8. Practice descriptive and reflective writing in relation to their own Masters research

Assessment