Course Description
This course is the first in a series of three steps that provides the instruction and experience in conducting and analyzing field research as part of a dedicated research team. Anyone planning to run or collaborate in a field research project would benefit from the opportunity to take part in a functioning research team.
The Fieldwork course follows Introduction to Policy and Data Analysis and focuses on preparing the tools that will be used in the field to gather information that is relevant to a particular research program. In each case, groups within this class will work with a client in the country or region to design and train in the use of tools that to address the client’s needs.
The course covers the design and construction of surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus groups, as well as how to design sampling strategies for each. Course participants will design working versions of at least two of these tools and prepare them for use in the field. The tools that come out of this course will be the ones that are used when groups go into the field on their J-Term practica.
Objectives
The purpose of the course is to:
- Prepare students to conduct reliable and valid field research
- Facilitate conversations with stakeholders in the field to negotiate topic(s) of research
- Develop methodological approach to data collection in one of (up to) three field locations
- Guide in the preparation of valid survey instrument for use in J-Term research
- Train in developing and conducting semi structured interviews
- (possibly) Train in the development of focus groups
- Prepare a plan for field-testing survey instrument & training in its use
- Develop sampling strategy for survey application
Textbook and other Materials
Readings will be made available through course website.
Methodology and Policies
Working in consultation with stakeholder organizations, each of the (up to) three groups will develop their own research tools and prepare for their time in the field. By the end of the course, groups preparing for research in Beijing, Zhejiang, and Shenzhen will have a research plan, a survey, a sampling strategy, field training preparation, and a completed IRB application. Ultimately, students who participate in this course, the summer practicum, and follow-up with written deliverables will have developed a solid set of research skills and experiences from taking part in an actual research project.
This is an exciting and fast-paced course that is styled according to the apprenticeship model. Participants will be preparing themselves and their research tools for actual research in the field. Any theory that is presented in this course will be put to immediate and thorough use.
The main objective is to help participants to develop the tools, habits, and techniques that lead to strong field research. As such, this is a guided discovery of the research development process. This course does not provide a survey of research methods, and we will not be doing any hypothetical or practice proposals. Rather, each of the three sites will each be developing fairly similar mixed-methods research design. The reasons for applying what is essentially the same design is twofold: (1) this is a fairly resilient design that will work in many cases, and (2) it will save time in an already compressed and busy course.
Academic Conduct
All students will be held to all policies and procedures listed in the most current Policies and Standards Manual (PSM). This includes but is not limited to our Student Honor Code and regulations on plagiarism. A complete copy of the Policies and Standards Manual (PSM) can be found here:http://www.miis.edu/media/view/34514/original/miis_psm_10-9-13.pdf
Self-Plagiarism: Re-use of a student’s work, in part or in its entirety, for another course without the express permission of the course instructor may be considered a form of plagiarism. (DON’T DO THIS.)
Requirements and Grading
*This course is brief, fast-paced, and applied. Because we meet only ten times, you will receive 1% credit for each class you attend. There will also be a great deal of group work that is critical to the success of the course. For that reason, everyone will be asked to complete a peer review percent effort form. The responses will be taken into consideration for the remaining 10% of the Attendance and Participation grade.
For information on standard MIIS Grading Policies, please refer to the Policy and Standards Manual .
Policy for Student Disability Accommodations
Students with documented disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in class are encouraged to contact Assistant Dean of Student Services, Ashley Arrocha, as early in the semester as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely manner. Assistance is available to eligible students through the Office of Student Services. Please contact aarrocha@miis.edu or 831-647-4654 for more information. All discussions will remain confidential.