Corsi di Studio del Dipartimento di Culture, Politica e Società

Qualitative Methods in Global South Studies

Qualitative Methods in Global South Studies

Anno accademico 2018/2019

• DOING RESEARCH AND FIELDWORK IN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION (CPS0372)

Sommario insegnamento

• Obiettivi formativi
• Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi
• Modalità di insegnamento
• Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento
• Programma
• Testi consigliati e bibliografia
• Strumenti didattici

Obiettivi formativi

The overall purpose of this course is to prepare students for designing, managing and carrying out qualitative research projects in the Global South. To achieve this there are three related aims: i) to develop the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed to define appropriate research questions, and make effective design and methods choices ii) to equip them to competently manage the organisational, technical, logistical, ethical, communication and safety aspects of research partnerships in the Global South iii) to embed the knowledge and skills through practice, and planning, critically reflecting on and communicating about real-world projects and applications.

Risultati dell'apprendimento attesi

By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:

1)      Understand and use a range of qualitative fieldwork methods

2)      Develop a research project - identify a research topic, problem and context, ground it through literature review, and define focused research questions

3)      Plan qualitative research strategies - select a research design and appropriate methods, and know how to apply them in fieldwork collaborations in the Global South

4)      Organise research fieldwork - plan, schedule, prepare for and manage project partnerships and activities including: materials, resources, equipment, and travel in reference to safety, language, environment, cultural context, finances and logistics

5)      Prepare for fieldwork challenges and risks - anticipate likely problems and mitigate risks, critically reflect on ethical issues and responsibilities, prepare for ethical review, and consider how to adapt responsively as the research processes unfold

Communicate/pitch a research proposal - present research plans including rationale and case for focus, design, methods, organisation and risk management and mitigation.

Modalità di insegnamento

This course is designed as active learning, to maximise the potential for students to successfully carry out research projects in real-world contexts. This means each topic will include introductory input, but will be largely delivered through workshops and participatory exercises in small groups. Knowledge and awareness will be developed through considering concrete qualitative research projects. Their skills in using methods and convening/facilitating participatory exercise will also be developed through experience during the classroom activities and exercises and reflection afterwards. Students will be expected to prepare for discussions and practical activities through undertaking key readings and tasks beforehand. They will also be required to continue and complete activities outside class time. In the second part students will be divided into groups, and will work together on planning a research project in the global South for the final exam. 

Modalità di verifica dell'apprendimento

Understanding of methodological theory and practice, and ability to manage a qualitative research collaboration in the global south will be assessed through presentation of a group project. Each group will identify a topic, context, and research question, decide on the design and methods, and plan how to organise the fieldwork. Groups will be assessed through a verbal presentation, and written project summaries. A self-evaluation of the group processes, will also be assessed.

Programma

• Introduction to fieldwork in global South contexts, including researcher positioning, reflexivity and diaries
• Qualitative research questions, research designs and methodological choices
• Literature review and texts as data
• Interview methods - approaches, skills and preparation
• Focus group methods - organisation, facilitation skills and topic guides
• Participatory, visual and performative methods, and documentation
• Intro to triangulation, qualitative analysis and quality evaluation
• Intro to innovative participatory research processes such as participatory video, digital story-telling, ground level panels, reality checks
• Intro to multi-country research partnerships and challenging research such as with highly marginalised groups or in unaccountable or contested contexts
• Developing and planning a research project
• Organising and managing fieldwork including building partnerships and research relationships, and technical and logistic aspects
• Ethics and ethics review
• Preparing for fieldwork challenges and mitigating risks

Flick, U. (2014) An Introduction to Qualitative Research, Sage Publications Ltd, LA, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC

Silverman, D. (2011) Qualitative Research, Sage Publications Ltd, LA, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC

Tracey, S. (2013) Qualitative Research Methods: Collecting Evidence, Crafting Analysis, Communicating Impact, Wiley , West Sussex, UK

Other works and articles will be proposed during key course sections and discussed in the course.

• Materiale didattico
• Bacheca appelli
• Vai a Moodle
• Visita i forum