Global Health > Short Courses > Details > Research Design

Research Design

Application deadline for this course is 13 October 2013 - APPLY NOW

Institution

Copenhagen School of Global Health, University of Copenhagen.
The course takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark

Course coordinator

Assistant Professor Karin Linda Schiøler

Type

This is a mandatory short course in the Master of Disaster Management and Master of International Health programmes.

Duration

13 January - 24 January 2014
Full time lectures and exercises, including a few days of individual or group study.

ECTS credits

5 ECTS

Language

English

Objectives

The Research Design course develops the students’ abilities to conduct academic research, formulate a relevant thesis proposal, present and discuss the progress of their work, and conduct a small-scale research project.

At the end of this course, the individual student will be able to:

• identify and formulate a relevant and realistic research problem within the field of international health/disaster management
• identify and formulate relevant objectives (main and specific)
• choose appropriate study methods (qualitative/quantitative/desk study)
• conduct a relevant scientific literature search
• discuss limitations and ethical issues related to the proposed study
• formulate a consistent and clear synopsis as a preparation for a small-scale research project
• give short presentations on a proposed study, highlighting objectives, methods, ethical issues, limitations, etc.

Content

The module applies a combined lecture and workshop format. The lectures present the central aspects of designing a viable research project. They are followed by workshop sessions where the students get the chance to apply their learnings from the lectures through topic-specific exercises in smaller groups.

The Research Design course covers the following topics:

• The academic approach and study techniques
  • Definition of the academic approach
  • Presentation of appropriate study techniques/oral presentation
  • Plagiarism
• Literature search
  • Library introduction and electronic resources
  • Referencing
• Drafting objectives
  • Problem formulation and design of research objectives (content/communicative perspectives)
  • Presentation of main and specific objectives
• Research methodologies
  • Qualitative field research
  • Quantitative field research
  • Secondary research/Desk study
  • Mixed methods
• Introduction to data analysis
  • Qualitative data analysis
  • Quantitative data analysis
  • Use of secondary data for literature review
• Study limitations and research ethics
  • Study limitations and bias
  • Ethical conciderations and clearance
• Writing skills
  • Structuring of material
  • Writing clear paragraphs and sentences
  • Creating cohesion and continuity

Methods

This course consists of daily 5-hour seminars (lectures and workshop sessions) and individual preparation and study time. All lectures and workshop sessions are moderated by faculty staff members. Students are expected to contribute actively to classes through own presentations and feedback to colleagues.

Assessment Procedures

The written synopsis (max 2500 words excl. annexes) will be assessed. Pass/fail.

Prerequisites

The applicants must live up to the admission criteria of either the Master of International Health or the Master of Disaster Management programme. 

Class size

The number of participants is limited to 60. The course may be cancelled if less than 12 participants.

Fees

Reduced fee: DKK 6,000
For students from EU/EEA, and students with a DIS, Fulbright or Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship.

Normal fee: DKK 8,000
For all other students.

For approximate exchange rates between DKK (Danish Krone) and other currencies please contact your bank or visit this website. All fees are subject to regulation.

Scholarships:

We do not offer any scholarships, nor can we assist in finding funding, but on our page about scholarships we have collected some information that might be useful.