Development Research Methods

This course will provide training in some methodological approaches in Development studies and Development research that will equip the students into applying them in their dissertations or project evaluations. Applied and practice oriented issues in development research methods will be taken up by focusing on the differences in qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research. Anyone who is interested in development issues and undertaking development research is encouraged to enroll.INTENDED AUDIENCE : Undergraduate: This course is meant for postgraduate students from any discipline who are interestedin taking up research in the field of social sciences, with particular focus on the Development Sector. Professionals working in the Development Sector, or those pursuing Rural Management or Rural Development Courses will also benefitPREREQUISITES :Nil

Week 1,2: Different types of Development Studies: forms of studies and typical research questions; development research-development work continuumWeek 3,4: Development Research Methods: Ethics and Values; Understanding the ‘field’ and the ‘fieldworker’; qualitativedevelopment research methods (interviews, focus groups, participatory methods and approaches, diaries and case studies)Week 5,6: Research methods and possible combinations: quantitative methods; mixed methods; interdisciplinary perspectives; problem analysis in logical framework approachWeek 7,8: Selected development issues and approaches: evolving approaches in poverty evaluation; gender analysis andapproaches to gender mainstreaming; challenges of implementing rights based approaches; social capital assessments