EDU4335 – Fieldwork
Course description
Course content
Through the fieldwork you will mobilize the knowledge and skills developed in the methodology courses in order to address an aspect of education for development in a specific context. The fieldwork will therefore enable to deepen your understanding of a particular set of issues, by addressing a research question that entails an engagement with theoretical and methodological knowledge. The goal is to ensure deeper internalization of the knowledge base at the core of the MA.
The fieldwork component relates to gathering of data for the thesis. You will be supported by supervisors from within the GLOBED consortium and its associated partners.
Learning outcome
By the end of the fieldwork period, you will be able to:
Knowledge:
- justify the choice of methodologies made from both an epistemological and a technical point of view
- mobilize a range of quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies in order to address a specific research question
- capture data in an efficient, reliable and valid way in order to build hypotheses and draw tentative conclusions from empirical materials
Skills:
- negotiate access to the field, and establish positive relations with a wide variety of social actors which permit him or her to remain in the field for the duration of the data collection exercise
- work productively in a foreign environment where values, beliefs and social customs may be very different to the ones he or she is familiar with
Competence:
- develop the skills needed to organize one's work in what are often physically and emotionally challenging contexts
Admission
The course is offered to students that have been accepted to the GLOBED Joint Master’s degree programme. Students must have completed the courses of the first year in order to qualify for the course. A maximum of 15 students may enter the course.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Students must have passed the first year courses of the GLOBED programme in order to attend this course.
Teaching
There is no formal teaching during this course.
Examination
A written fieldwork report. The report should not exceed 4000 words in length. More specific requirements and deadlines will be announced at the beginning of the semester.
Requirements:
The main features of a report should include the minutes of your relevant meetings (with your supervisor, informants, interviews and focus groups, organization of surveys, participation in activities), regular reflections on your advances twice a month (at least), and other complementary products (e.g. reports to local institutions, blog posts, participations in seminars and conferences). You should also add comments on how you adapt your research instruments questionnaires, interview guidelines and so on), and certainly, on any piece of evidence suggesting answers to your overall problem/research question. Finally, you should conclude with a short general reflection.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.