Proposal development

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The overall objective is to help students conceptualize and prepare a research proposal in their research area and to nurture a sense of inquisitiveness and active participation in research. One week is used for introductory lectures covering all chapters of a complete research proposal and interactive teaching where each student presents his/her preliminary research proposal and the rest of the class and teacher/s discuss/peer-review these proposals in groups. Students learn to use the research methods taught in the research tools course (INTH315) into practical examples and refine their individual research proposals. This week is followed by 3 full-day seminars during spring semester where the students get peer-review of their proposals before final submission.

The main body of the course is the actual work students carry out on their proposals after this introductory week. Regular discussions with supervisor(s) are an important element of the process.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can:

  • justify the choice of research methods
  • explain the requirements and process for ethical clearance

Skills

The student can:

  • find relevant literature and write a review as justification for the study
  • clearly formulate the research question(s), broad objective(s) and specific objectives
  • choose the relevant data collection tools/laboratory methods
  • choose proper statistical methods in data analysis
  • formulate expected outcomes
  • make a research budget

General competence

The student is able to:

  • independently conceptualize and prepare a good and comprehensive research proposal within the limited time frame and resources
  • communicate the research plan professionally

ECTS Credits

ECTS credits 5

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Spring/Autumn
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Introductory lectures of proposal writing and group work in course INTH315.
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
ECTS credit reduction towards INTH330A
Access to the Course
Open to students enrolled in the programme "Master of Philosophy in Global Health" at the University of Bergen
Teaching and learning methods

The organized teaching includes one full week in autumn and 3 individual days in spring. The rest of the course is the actual work students carry out on their proposals. Major emphasis is placed on the exercises in groups and individually, peer-review, and plenary discussions with teachers having qualitative and quantitative research backgrounds. 80% of the organized teaching is used for interactive teaching where each student is expected to present own preliminary sketch for class discussion and peer review. This one week`s organized session is followed by the regular sessions with supervisory team during proposal development. The proposals are peer-reviewed by the fellow students and evaluated by supervisors before submission.

Student investment time: 125 hours

Contact hours (lectures and seminars): 42

Individual working hours: 83

Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching

One week introductory course on proposal development. Major emphasis is placed on the exercises in groups and individually and plenary discussions with teachers having qualitative and quantitative research backgrounds. 80% of the time is used for interactive teaching where each student is expected to present own preliminary sketch for class discussion. This one week`s organized session is followed by the regular sessions with supervisory team during proposal development, and one day follow-up seminar with feed-back on individual proposals from course coordinators.

Student investment time: 260 hours

Contact hours (lectures and seminars): 50

Contact hours (supervision): 10

Individual working hours: 200

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Participation in lectures and group work.
Forms of Assessment
Supervisors shall evaluate the proposal and decide whether it is acceptable (Grade=pass) for submission. Attendance and material preparation for the organized teaching sessions is compulsory.
Grading Scale
Pass/fail
Assessment Semester
Spring
Reading List
The literature list will be ready by 1 June for the autumn semester and 1 December for the spring semester.
Course Evaluation
Students evaluate the teaching according to the quality assessment requirements of the University of Bergen. The evaluation method is through an online form.
Programme Committee
Programme Committee for Global Health
Course Coordinator

Professor Tehmina Mustafa (Temina.Mustafa@uib.no)

Professor Karine Marie Moland (Karen.Moland@uib.no)

Course Administrator
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care
Department
Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care