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Research Methodology and Ethics
Learn how to retrieve, review and interpret research findings and how to apply scientific methodologies in disaster management.
This course is a part of
Only available for students enrolled on Master of Disaster Management.
The course introduces the principal study designs, methodological approaches and ethical considerations in disaster research; with a focus on research development.
Course content:
- Critical literature review for identification of relevant knowledge gaps, research problems and questions.
- Quantitative methods for primary and secondary data collection - including definition of outcomes and variables; target population; sampling; and questionnaire design. Central issues on data management, validation, and analyses using statistical software (e.g. SPSS) are also covered.
- Qualitative methods for primary data collection including focus group discussions; key informant interviews; and participant observation. Data management validation and analyses including field note analyses are also covered.
- Mixed methods approaches in terms of the rationale for use, common procedures, and limitations.
- Basic principles and statutes on research ethics focusing on the specific challenges within disaster research.
Learning method
This course consists of a variety of teaching/learning methods (blended learning) ranging from class-based lectures, journal clubs, group work and student led presentations, as well as individual preparation and study time. All in-class sessions are moderated by faculty staff members. Students are expected to contribute actively through oral and written presentations, as well as constructive feedback to colleagues during sessions.
The teaching and learning methods could be listed as follows:
- Lectures - imparting knowledge concepts, theories and models
- Journal clubs - discussion of relevant papers with emphasize on analytical skills and knowledge gain
- Group work - guided with a set of questions or an exercise based on a specific case
- Presentations - of group and individual student assignments
Course Directors on Research Methodology and Ethics
Anne Bach Nielsen
Assistant Professor
Bishal Gyawali
Postdoctoral Researcher
Course details about Research Methodology and Ethics
Dates and examination
Course dates 2024/25
11-15 November 2024 + 6-24 January 2025
Course dates 2025/26
10-14 November 2025 + 5-23 January 2026
The course is available every year.
Examination
Please find the exam dates in the exam plan.
You can find further information about the course and the exam in the course curriculum.
See an overview of all courses on Master of Disaster Management.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the course, you will be able to:
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Critically appraise relevant scientific research methodologies and their application in disaster management.
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Retrieve and critically review scientific literature and information from peer-reviewed and grey literature sources.
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Identify research problems and formulate relevant research questions within the field of disaster management and define and delimit study objectives.
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Choose study designs and identify appropriate methods for data collection and analysis.
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Discuss possible ethical considerations and limitations.
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Critically interpret and discuss research findings in relation to existing evidence within the field.
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Formulate a consistent and clear synopsis in preparation for a small-scale research project.
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Communicate research findings according to the IMRAD structure for scientific literature.
Admission criteria
The course is only available for students already enrolled on the Master of Disaster Management programme.
You must meet the following criteria to be admitted to this course:
- Be enrolled on the master's programme
- Hold a relevant bachelor degree or equivalent
- Have a minimum 2 years of relevant job experience
- Be proficient in English
Find detailed information about the current admission criteria.
Tuition fees
EU/EEA citizens
Master student: 13,000 DKK
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Master student: 16,500 DKK
Terms and conditions
Place
University of Copenhagen
City Campus
Øster Farimagsgade 5
1353 Copenhagen
Denmark
Anne Bach Nielsen
Assistant Professor
Anne’s research addresses how we create sustainable, resilient, and healthy cities.
She is particularly interested in how local actors contribute to reducing climate risks and adapting to climate change and reducing disaster impacts. This includes how local political initiatives and cross-sector collaborations emerge to address the climate crisis and how these are implemented on the ground.
Anne’s research also highlights how cities engage in transnational networks as an active part of their work on addressing climate change, and whether collaboration and knowledge exchange at the city level offer new policy instruments and approaches to managing the climate crisis.
More recently, her research has focused on the relationship between technology, disaster management, and resilience in the EU, and how municipalities and emergency organisations use social media to communicate with and gather information from citizens.
Bishal Gyawali
Postdoctoral Researcher
I graduated with a Ph.D. in Public Health from Aarhus University, Denmark in 2019. My Ph.D. study investigated the effectiveness of a female community health volunteer-delivered intervention in reducing blood glucose among adults with type 2 diabetes in Nepal.
I have previously worked for the World Health Organization, Family Planning Association of Nepal, and UNAIDS Collaborating Centre for socio-epidemiological HIV Research, Japan.
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I am the recipient of the prestigious ‘Emerging Leaders Award’ awarded by the World Heart Federation in 2020 and the ‘Global Non-communicable Disease (NCD) Scholars Award’ awarded by Johns Hopkins University in 2018.
My research seeks to reduce the burden of NCDs in the community. My substantive research works have been on type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cervical cancer, and mental ill-health and common risk factors for these and other conditions, such as overweight/obesity, diet, physical inactivity, and alcohol and drug use.
My recent works have focused on developing, implementing, and evaluating community-based interventions to prevent and control NCDs in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). I am also involved in conceptualizing, designing, implementing, and analyzing rigorous community-based quantitative observational and experimental studies (randomized trials), systematic reviews, meta-analyses as well as qualitative studies focusing on NCDs.
I have extensively published my findings in several peer-reviewed journals, which are widely cited in the international research field.