2014-2015 Academic Catalog

Nov 15, 2024

2014-2015 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

IDCE 301 - Research Project Development

Research skills are vital if one is to make a contribution to knowledge. This is an inherently creative process, while adhering to principles and guidelines of evidence-based, “sound science.” The research process is where art and science meet. This class is designed for graduate students in the Enviromental Science and Policy master’s program, and emphasizes the use of interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. It has four complimentary aims: 1) Helping students to understand the research process, its components and challenges; 2) Introducing specific methods and techniques -– qualitative, quantitative and mixed – and practicing them in the field; 3) Visiting and conversing with practicing researchers from a diversity of institutions (e.g. Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory, Harvard Forest, Harvard School of Public Health and others); and 4) Getting students well on track with their own individual research projects (papers or theses), with production of working documents that serve as the student’s research plan and fill-in key sections on introduction, problem statement, research questions, literature, methods and expected results.