Research Design SD (2025/2026: Periode 3)

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Cursusdoel

Please note: the information in the course manual is binding.
After completion of this course, you are able to:
  • Apply and integrate theoretical and methodological knowledge about how to develop a research proposal.
  • Delineate a research proposal to manageable proportions and present the proposal in a well-structured and clear way.
  • Give a critical review on research designs made by others.
  • Explain how your research proposal will contribute to transforming our society towards a more sustainable one.

Vakinhoudelijk

This course gives you intensive hands-on training in one of the key skills that graduated research master students should possess: the ability to design a research project - through developing a research proposal - that is interesting, scientifically sound but at the same time has the potential to contribute to a transformation to a more sustainable world. Setting up such a research project is easier said than done. But throughout this course, you will be provided with theoretical guidance and practical advice. You will become familiar with good practices and learn how to avoid the most common pitfalls. After completion of this course, you will be better prepared to start a comprehensive research project, such as your master's thesis. Moreover, you will be better able to make an informed assessment of the research proposed by others.

This course is an entry requirement for:
  • Master’s Thesis SD (GEO4-2321)

Werkvormen

Lectures
Toelichting

The course begins with an introduction lecture and some guest lectures in which PhD students discuss their research to demonstrate different kinds of research designs. We also have some lectures that explain important contemporary topics in research (such as regarding open science, research ethics and integrity, privacy and data management, and research impact pathways). Overall though, the emphasis of the course is the tutorials which focus on students actively engaging with the content and writing your own research proposal! This is an in-depth, constructive, and exciting process that prepares you for your master thesis.

Voorbereiding

There are readings to complete prior to the lectures and tutorials. We will give you guidance on this a few weeks before the course begins so that you can prepare!

Individueel

Presentations
Toelichting

At the end of the course, you will design your own poster based on your final research proposal. In a tutorial, you will give a poster pitch to communicate and engage others in your work. This involves not just summarising your research proposal, but also explaining why it is relevant for science and society, and why others (eg companies, funding organizations) should invest in your work.

Tutorials
Toelichting

There will be a series of tutorials throughout the course that build up your knowledge of research design and apply this through the process of writing your own research proposal. This includes: (i) Discussing examples of research designs and developing innovative ideas to address contemporary issues. (ii) Discussing key concepts of research design and explaining this to your colleagues to enable everyone to effectively develop a common knowledge foundation. (iii) Constructive feedback and development on your own research proposal with colleagues where you give and receive feedback to develop your ideas and gain experience in professional and academic practice. (iv) Presenting your research proposal as a poster and pitch to develop skills in engagement and communication of research and ideas in professional settings.

Bijdrage

There is group work involved in tutorials when you will be reviewing and explaining key concepts. More broadly, you will also work together in helping to support and develop each other's individual work in the tutorials because of the strong focus on feedback and development of your ideas over time. Hence, group work operates at multiple levels in the course, and plays a crucial role in helping each other to learn alongside the individual research proposal which forms the core assessment.

Voorbereiding

You need to complete readings relevant to each tutorial (including from the textbook that we use, examples/stimulus material, and your colleagues’ draft research proposals that you will give feedback on).

Toetsing

Eindresultaat

Verplicht | Weging 1% | ECTS 7,5

(i) Analysis of previous master theses, and presentation on this to colleagues to help learn about the approach and expectations of research design at the master level (in pairs): must be graded as sufficient. (ii) Individual research proposal: 80% (iii) Poster presentation of your research proposal: 20%

Ingangseisen en voorkennis

Ingangseisen

Je moet inschreven staan voor de volgende opleiding:

  • Sustainable Development

Voorkennis

Basic knowledge on research methodology. You will also take a track-specific methods course at the same time, which works in a complementary way. In Research Design, we take a broader focus on the overall process of designing research (e.g., research problem, research questions/hypotheses, conceptual framework, methodology which includes methods but also other aspects, expected outcomes).

Voorkennis kan worden opgedaan met

Text books on natural science and/or social science research methodology (as matching your track).

Voertalen

  • Engels

Cursusmomenten

Gerelateerde studies

Tentamens

Er is geen tentamenrooster beschikbaar voor deze cursus

Verplicht materiaal

  • READER
    Course manual
  • BOEK
    We will use a methodological textbook that provides good guidance on how to delineate your research to manageable proportions. The title and edition of the book will be announced a few weeks prior to the course.

Aanbevolen materiaal

Er is geen informatie over de aanbevolen literatuur bekend

Coördinator

dr. J.J. Patterson j.j.patterson@uu.nl

Docenten

dr. G. Feola g.feola@uu.nl
dr. R. Harmsen R.Harmsen@uu.nl
dr. ir. D.L.T. Hegger D.L.T.Hegger@uu.nl
dr. F.P. Mtsetfwa f.p.mtsetfwa@uu.nl
dr. P.A. Verweij P.A.Verweij@uu.nl
dr. M.J. Vijge m.j.vijge@uu.nl

Inschrijving

Let op: deze cursus is niet toegankelijk voor studenten van andere faculteiten, bijvakkers mogen zich dus niet inschrijven.

Inschrijving
Van maandag 3 november 2025 tot en met vrijdag 21 november 2025

Na-inschrijving
Van maandag 19 januari 2026 tot en met dinsdag 20 januari 2026

Inschrijving niet geopend
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Laat in de Cursus-Catalogus zien