Department-Wide Courses (SERD)

Course Code	Course	Number of Credits	Description/Course Objective	Semester
ED52.01	Statistics for Development Studies	1	With increasing need for evidence-based policy discussion based on sound quantitative research in development studies, it is a requirement for students of Department of Development and Sustainability to have basic understanding of statistics and how statistics can be used in research and policy discussion. The course introduces descriptive and inferential statistics applied to analysis of data from development studies. It will allow students to familiarize with concepts and skills for understanding and conducting quantitative research in development studies context.
ED52.02	Introduction to Research Design and Methods	1	The course is intended to introduce students to basic research design principles and a broad range of data collection and analysis methods. The course aims to prepare students to construct social and scientific inquiries as a pre-requisite for graduate level research, serving as a common basis for students of Department of Development and Sustainability.
ED52.03	Introduction to Development and Sustainability	2	As the natural resources are shrinking, global population is growing, and climate change is threatening our existence, achieving sustainable development needs new thinking. To harmonize human and nature for long-term co-existence and to address the socio-economic, political and cultural development in the region, it is important to have a broad-based understanding of development and sustainability. This course provides basic concepts related to development and sustainability especially in analyzing the situation in Asia. It provides students with a sound basis to go further into their own specializations, by understanding the interlinkages of the frameworks and issues pertaining to development and sustainability.	Aug Sem
ED52.9004	Selected Topic: Quantitative Analysis Using R	1	With increasing needs for policy discussions based on research evidence generated through sound quantitative analysis in development studies, it is a requirement for students to have basic understanding and practical experience of selected techniques in quantitative analysis. The objective of this course is to equip students with fundamental skills in handling useful analytical techniques, so that the students can integrate these tools with theories in conducting their development research. In particular, the course introduces a set of basic regression models, which enables the students to implement causality analysis while quantifying the effects of each factor. The course emphasizes application rather than theories, and analysis rather than data collection.
ED52.9005	Selected Topic: Introduction to Research Design	2	The course is intended to introduce students to the main components of a research framework i.e., scientific inquiry, problem statement, research design, ethical issues in research, report writing, and presentation.Once equipped with this knowledge, the students would be wellplaced to conduct graduate level research under supervision in an area of their choosing in the Department of Development and Sustainability.	Aug Sem
ED52.9006	Selected Topic: Quantitative Research Methods I	2	With increasing need for evidence-based policies, understanding of fundamental statistics has become a requirement for those inspiring to work in the field of international development. This course introduces descriptive and inferential statistics applied to analysis of data from development studies. It will allow students to familiarize themselves with key statistical concepts and acquire practical skills for understanding and conducting quantitative research in areas related to sustainable development.
ED52.9007	Selected Topic: Quantitative Research Methods II	2	As shown by the needs expressed by alumni and managers working in both public and private organizations, it is extremely important for students to have basic understanding of and practical experience with selected techniques in quantitative methods, in particular, factor analysis that can establish causal relationship between independent variables and dependent variables. The objective of this course is to provide practical training to students so that they can examine their research questions and prove or disprove hypotheses through these tools. In particular, the course introduces a set of basic regression techniques, which enable the students to implement factor analysis while quantifying the effects of each factor. In fact, many students recognize at the time of writing their thesis that addressing the research questions in their thesis actually requires these skills. The course emphasizes hands-on practices in classroom and interpretation of analytical results, rather than deliberation on theories and concepts. Use of complicated equations including calculus is dispensedwith.
ED52.9008	Selected Topic: Qualitative Research Methods	2	The course aims to equip students with knowledge, skills and techniques in designing and conducting qualitative research. Qualitative research captures in-depth and subtle phenomenon and changes regarding human behavior and experiences that quantitative methods cannot explain well, and provides important context to our understanding. The course is designed for students who wish to familiarize themselves with qualitative research, and attempts to guide students toward conceptualizing, designing, and conducting qualitative research as well as analyzing and writing papers based on qualitative data.