MSc Global Development (Politics, Governance and Development Policy)

Year of entry: 2025

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Course unit details:
Development Research

Course unit fact file
Unit code	MGDI70982
Credit rating	15
Unit level	FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s)	Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit?	No

Overview

How do we know that works for development? Understanding what drives and shapes more socially just and equitable development is essential. In this course you will gain deeper theoretical and practical knowledge of how research in Global Development is designed, conducted, and disseminated.

Aims

The overarching aims of this is to provide students with (i) an understanding of how research in development is conceived of and designed as well as introduction key methods used in development research; and (ii) an opportunity for students to develop competencies in transferable areas, including research design, methods and analysis, as well as teamwork and written and verbal forms of communication.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching and learning will occur through weekly lectures and a series of tutorials and practicals that will provide a conceptual understanding of, and practical basis for conducting development research. The learning and teaching approach will therefore combine a series of different approaches, including the use of pre-recorded lecture material (e.g., introductions to epistemology and research design), group work (e.g., the development and formulation of research questions and interview protocols) and software training (e.g., basic coding in R).

Knowledge and understanding

• Explain principles of research design, including core concepts of rigor, replicability and validity

• Discuss strengths and weaknesses of different research approaches used in development research

Intellectual skills

• Formulate research question that address development research challenges

• Evaluate different sources of information and data that could be used to address development research challenges

• Articulate evidenced-based arguments

Practical skills

Implement development research approaches
Design rudimentary development research projects

Transferable skills and personal qualities

• Undertake both team-based and independent work to deadlines

• Evaluate and analyze different kinds of evidence

• Develop, articulate, and sustain logical, structured and reasoned arguments in both written and oral contexts

Employability skills

Analytical skills: - through a deeper theoretical and practical understanding of how development research is designed, conducted and disseminated.
Innovation/creativity: - through the design of an original research proposal
Research: ] - through a deeper theoretical and practical understanding of how development research is designed, conducted and disseminated.
Written communication: - through completing two written assignments

Assessment methods

Method	Weight
Other	40%
Written assignment (inc essay)	40%
Set exercise	20%

Essay 1,200 words

Proposal 1,200 words

Two online quizzes

Feedback methods

Written formative and summative feedback will be delivered via Turnitin (Blackboard).

Students will be given the opportunity to submit short essay plans for feedback.

Tutorials and practical sessions will be primarily interactive and/or discussion-based.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures	8
Practical classes & workshops	10
Tutorials	6

Independent study hours
Independent study	126

Teaching staff

Staff member	Role
Johan Oldekop	Unit coordinator
Tomas Frederiksen	Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Information
GDI Programmes on which course unit is offered:

MSc International Development (core for all pathways)

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