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The Practice of Fieldwork - POL00016M

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  • Department: Politics and International Relations
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2024-25

Module aims

This module addresses the political, ethical, logistical and methodological challenges of conducting fieldwork related to human rights, peacebuilding, and development in challenging contexts. Students will gain the awareness and skills to conduct fieldwork in a safe and ethical manner, both individually and in groups. The module will also examine different methodological approaches to research, both qualitative (interviews and focus groups) and quantitative (surveys), and how to write up research for different audiences. Specific attention will be paid to ethical practices in engagement with vulnerable individuals and communities.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of the module, students should:

  • Be able to show a critical understanding of the political, ethical, logistical and methodological challenges of conducting research in complex contexts
  • Be able to design appropriate research related to human rights, peacebuilding, and development
  • Be able to explain the particular importance of ethical practices when engaging with vulnerable individuals communities

Academic and graduate skills

At the end of the module, students should:

  • Be able to use a number of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies ethically
  • Be able to engage in reflective practice and exercise reflexivity
  • Be able to think critically about complex subjects
  • Be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written forms
  • Be able to present complex concepts and topics confidently
  • Be able to engage in effective secondary research

Module content

  1. Introduction, fieldnotes and reflective diaries

  2. Positionality, power and perception

  3. The socio-political context of fieldwork

  4. The ethics of fieldwork

  5. Methods for data collection

  6. Research Design

  7. Security, risks and logistics

  8. Analysing data

  9. [Students on placement]

  10. [Students on placement]

  11. Communicating research

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 25 working days; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor’s regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

Barakat et al., 'The composite approach: research design in the context of war and armed conflict', Third World Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 5, 2002

Cooper et al., Challenging the Qualitative-Quantitative Divide (London, Bloomsbury, 2012)

Vanderstaay, S., 'One Hundred Dollars and a Dead Man - Ethical Decision Making in Ethnographic Fieldwork', Journal of Contemporary Ethnography, Vol. 34, No. 4, 2005


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.