MA Humanitarianism and Conflict Response / Course details

This course directly supports students in developing their research proposal for their final dissertation project. It discusses how to refine, hone and learn more about how to design a robust research project and what methods are most appropriate. It will look at how to develop a literature review, research questions, a theoretical framework. and how to use theory in research. The module explores different research methods in the social sciences, including quantitative and qualitative methods. Additionally, it considers ethical issues and questions of positionality that can arise when conducting research on topics such as disasters, humanitarianism, refugees, conflict and related issues.

- Provide students with a foundation for research design which will be useful in terms of preparing them for their dissertations and for equipping them with tools that can also be used following the completion of their MA in their professional lives.

- Provide students with an overview of central methods (both academic and those used in policy and practitioner environments) that are available for conducting research and evaluation in relation to humanitarian, disaster, and peacebuilding interventions.

- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the strengths and limitations of a range of methods which can be used to research and evaluate humanitarian, disaster and peacebuilding interventions

The lectures for this course unit will be delivered online.

- Identify and understand the range of purposes of a research project.

- Knowledge about how to build a research project.

- Knowledge of key methods to use when conducting research.

- Understanding of how to do qualitative and quantitative research.

- Understand how to analyse quantitative and qualitative data.

- Deepen critical thinking skills in relation to research.

- Critically use and assess methods in social science disciplines and methodological approaches.

- Understand how to build a research project.

- Critical reading of an array of sources (academic, journalistic, policy, practitioner).

- Search for, assess, and select literature from academic, practitioner and policy sources.

- Craft and complete rigorous academic research (i.e., choose research topic, develop research question, plan research steps and timeline, conduct research, develop argument, critical assessment of literature, writing and editing).

- Structure and present written arguments.

- Write a research dissertation proposal

- Apply analytical and synthesis skills in writing.

- Hone written skills.

- Be successful at complex discussion work on written tasks.

Blaikie, N. (2003) Analyzing Quantitative Data: From Description to Explanation. London: Sage.

Bryman, A (1988) Quantity and Quality in Social Research. London: Routledge.

Denzin, N.K. and Y.S. Lincoln. (eds.) (2005) Handbook of Qualitative Research. London: Sage.

Elliott, J. and Marsh C. (2008) Exploring Data: an Introduction to Data Analysis for Social Scientists. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Flick, U. (2006) An Introduction to Qualitative Research. London: Sage.

Henn, Matt, Mark Weinstein and Nick Foard (2006) A Short Introduction to Social Research. London: Sage Publications. Available from Manchester University Electronic Resources.

May, T. (2002) Qualitative Research in Action. London: Sage Publications.

Rumsey, D. (2003) Statistics for Dummies. Hoboken NJ: Wiley.