Social science research methods in rural development
The purpose of the course is to give the students an understanding of how social science research methods are used to collect and analyze empirical material, as preparation for independent work (theses). During the course, students learn how social science research methods contribute to the implementation of scientific work in rural development.
Information from the course leader
Välkomna till kursen 'Samhällsvetenskapliga metoder för landsbygdsutveckling' (samläsning med 'Samhällsvetenskapliga metoder för hållbar utveckling').
Vi ses första gången vid kursstart måndagen 15 januari klockan 10.15 i sal Q.
Preliminärt schema inklusive litteraturlista hittar ni här på kurssidan. Notera att all litteratur finns tillgänglig i e-format, och ni kommer att nå den via Canvasrummet (som publiceras i januari 2024). Där kommer ni också att hitta detaljerade läsanvisningar, seminarieinstruktioner och information om examinationsmoment etc.
Kursen är utformad för att förbereda er inför en framtida uppsats, och ni kommer att arbeta med era egna uppsatsidéer genom hela kursens gång. Kursens slutexamination utgörs av en projektplan för en uppsats. Börja gärna fundera på vad ni vill skriva era uppsatser om redan nu. Kursens första seminarium (19 januari) kretsar kring att utveckla ett forskningsproblem ur ett bredare intresse, och då är det bra om ni har börjat ringa in ett (eller flera) intressen.
Vi ser fram emot att dra igång kursen och träffa er alla. Tveka inte att höra av er om ni har några frågor innan kursstart.
Med önskan om en rofylld långhelg och ett trevligt årsslut,
Linus & Katarina
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
LU0103-30341 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for LU0103
Academic year 2024/2025
Social science research methods in rural development (LU0103-30175)
2025-01-20 - 2025-03-24
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
LU0103 Social science research methods in rural development, 15.0 Credits
Samhällsvetenskapliga metoder för landsbygdsutvecklingSubjects
Rural DevelopmentEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Single module | 15.0 | 0001 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has at least 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G2F)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
SwedishPrior knowledge
Knowledge equivalent to 60 credits in rural development, of which 10 credits in social science theory.Objectives
The purpose of the course is to give the students an understanding of how social science research methods are used to collect and analyze empirical material, as preparation for independent work (theses). During the course, students learn how social science research methods contribute to the implementation of scientific work in rural development.
After completion of this course the student shall be able to:
- discuss choices of method and analysis for scientific work in rural development and relate these to different philosophy of science perspectives
- reason about the strengths and weaknesses of different methods
- carry out independent collection and analysis of empirical material with an emphasis on qualitative methods
- identify and discuss ethical aspects that arise when choosing a method and in the rest of the research process
- make a simple plan for scientific work
- follow basic rules regarding academic writing.
Content
Thematic content
The emphasis of the course is on the students’ learning to use common social science methods as well as collect and analyze empirical material, as a preparation for independent work (theses). Examples of methods that the students will encounter during the course are: interviews, focus groups, participant observation, surveys and discourse analysis. The students learn to discuss choices of method and analysis and to relate these choices to different philosophy of science perspectives. They get to make a simple plan for scientific work and learn to follow basic rules for academic writing.
Implementation
The course uses different teaching methods to promote students' learning and discussions through a combination of lectures, literature studies, seminars and exercises.
The course focuses on the following general competencies: scientific methods; critical thinking; written communication; academic writing.
The course includes mandatory attendance at the seminars.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Approved written presentation and approved participation in mandatory seminars.
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Responsible department
Department of Urban and Rural Development