Research Methods and Ethics

Transcription

1 Research Methods and Ethics ANTH 3500 (3 credits / 45 class hours) SIT Study Abroad Program: Switzerland: International Studies and Multilateral Diplomacy PLEASE NOTE: This syllabus represents a recent semester. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of unique learning opportunities, actual course content varies from semester to semester. Course Description The Research Methods & Ethics seminar (RME) provides the theoretical, conceptual, and practical tools for conducting field research in Switzerland. Emphasis is placed on grappling with cultural differences and on recording, interpreting and analyzing information from primary sources. The focus is to strengthen interactive research skills and methods in both traditional and non-traditional ways. Students will learn to explore cultural and professional environments, conduct background research, develop contacts, find resources, develop skills in observation and interviewing, apply field study ethics, and gather and organize data. The concepts and skills developed in the seminar underlie and reinforce all other program requirements. The ethical implications and consequences of field research will be examined throughout. Course Objectives: Learn about specific tools to conduct field research in a francophone environment; Learn how to operationalize networking skills for research in the international community of Geneva; Apply professional ethics standards in field research; Learn advanced interview techniques and apply them in field research; Develop your capacity to synthesize information obtained from primary and secondary sources. Expected Outcomes: By the end of the course, students will be able to: Identify, describe, and utilize standard methodologies used in the social sciences, including in-depth interviewing, participant and non-participant observation, and case studies; Consider ethical issues in the context of field research in another culture; Apply interactive research techniques that can be used in the ISP project; Reflect on the students own culture by contrasting and comparing it to Swiss culture; Undertake small-scale research in a local setting; Utilize the unique human and physical resources available in Switzerland. Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 1

2 Research Methods Emphasis is placed on understanding cultural similarities and identifying cultural differences as well as on recording, interpreting, and analyzing information from primary sources. Discussions, field exercises, and assignments focus on observations and interviews that include examining ethics in the context of fieldwork. The seminar facilitates students subsequent development of an in-depth Independent Study Project (ISP), largely based on information obtained from primary sources. The RME Seminar enables students to understand and profit from experience-based learning processes. It provides students with skills on gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information from a range of sources, maximizing the knowledge provided by the local context. The main aspects of the seminar link directly to the Independent Study Project. Students will be able to discern and deal with ethical questions that arise in an intercultural setting; Students will be able to identify and make use of culture bound local resources; Students will have an understanding of the proper methodologies for cross-cultural research; Students will acquire the skills for the use of critical analysis in other cultural settings, including their own. Topics Topics that are covered in the RME course include: Conceptual understanding of field-based learning; Introduction to research methods; Observation as a field research method; Participant observation and interviewing as field research methods; Interviewing: the art of asking questions; Work journals and recording data; Data analysis and report writing; Ethical Considerations for field-based research; A local case study; Definition of a research problem; Ethics and the research process. Course Schedule Week 1 Introduction to RME seminar Presentation on Field Research Techniques Readings for Week 1: Bailey, Carol A. (2007). Introduction to Qualitative Field Research (extracts). In A Guide to Qualitative Field Research (2 nd ed.). California: Pine Forge Press. Description Interpretation Evaluation. (2003), In Intercultural Communication Workshop SIT. Brattleboro. Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 2

3 Bryman, Alan. (2012). Interviewing in Qualitative Research. In Social Research Methods (4 th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. Week 2 Introduction to research methods in social sciences / ethics and research Local Case Study Research Project Proposal Readings for Week 2: Bryman, Alan. (2012). The Nature of Qualitative Research (extracts) / Ethics and Politics in Social Research/ Formulating Suitable Research Questions. In Social Research Methods (4 th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. Week 3 Advising Local Case Study Research Report Readings for Week 3: Bell, Judith. (2010). Planning the Project. In Doing Your Research Project: A guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science (5 th ed.). Berkshire England: Open University Press. Week 4 Presentation on Switzerland: History, Culture, Society and Identity Individual field research Local Case Study Research Report Readings for Week4: Bailey, Carol A. (2007). Methodologies/ Coding, Memoing and Descriptions/ Evaluation Criteria and Final Manuscript. In A Guide to Qualitative Field Research (2 nd ed.). California: Pine Forge Press. Week 5 Field Research Exercise in Paris/Brussels Readings for Week 5: Bryman, Alan. (2012). Ethnography and Participant Observation. In Social Research Methods (4 th ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. Week 6 Oral presentations of the exercise conducted in Brussels and Paris Individual field research Local Case Study Research Report Week 7 Completion of Local Case Study Research Report Optional Background Readings: Ethics: Oliver, Paul. (2010). Ethics and the research process. In Student s guide to Research Ethics (2 nd ed.). Open University Press. Cross-cultural research: Bennett. Milton J. (1998). Intercultural communication: A current perspective. In Milton J.Bennett (Ed.), Basic concepts of Intercultural commnucation: Selected readings, Yarmouth, M: intercultural Press. Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 3

4 Storti, Craig (1990). The Problem Explained/The problem solved. In The Art of Crossing Cultures, Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural press.. Local Culture: The Swiss Confederation A Brief Guide 2012, Swiss Confederation, Federal Chancellery FCh. Kriesi, Hanspeter & Trechsel,Alexander H.. (2008). Direct Democracy /The Development of the Modern Swiss Nation-State. In The Politics of Switzerland, Continuity and Change in a Consensus Democracy. Cambridge University Press. Steinberg,Jonathan (2007). Language / Wealth. In Why Switzerland. Second edition. Cambridge University Press. Student Evaluation and Grading Criteria Description of Assignments: Field Research Exercise in Paris/Brussels: Students apply different field research techniques to gather data on subjects related to the RME seminar and analyze the collected information to better understand crosscultural issues. Local Case Study Research Report: The purpose of this exercise is to document students observations, interpretations, and evaluations of a local cultural phenomenon in its sociopolitical context. Assessment: Participation 10% Field Research Exercise in Paris/Brussels 30% Local Case Study Research Report 60% Grading Scale % A Excellent 90-93% A % B % B Above Average 80-83% B % C % C Average 70-73% C % D % D Below Average below 64 F Fail Expectations and Policies - Show up prepared. Be on time, have your readings completed and points in mind for discussion or clarification. Complying with these elements raises the level of class discussion for everyone. - Have assignments completed on schedule, printed, and done accordingly to the specified requirements. This will help ensure that your assignments are returned in a timely manner. - Ask questions in class. Engage the lecturer. These are often very busy professionals who are doing us an honor by coming to speak. - Comply with academic integrity policies (no plagiarism or cheating, nothing unethical). Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 4

5 - Respect differences of opinion (classmates, lecturers, local constituents engaged with on the visits). You are not expected to agree with everything you hear, but you are expected to listen across difference and consider other perspectives with respect. Please refer to the SIT Study Abroad handbook for policies on academic integrity, ethics, warning and probation, diversity and disability, sexual harassment and the academic appeals process. Also, refer to the specific information available in the Student Handbook and the Program Dossier given to you at Orientation. Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 5