IRES requires that each PhD and Master’s student takes at least one methods course. The course is to be chosen in dialogue with the supervisor and must be among the courses listed below. Students, supervisors and committee members are welcome to propose additional methods courses which may be added to the list after approval by the IRES core faculty.
Methodology is a concept with numerous meanings and to avoid misunderstandings, we hereby specify our interpretation of the concept. By method we mean the procedures which may be used to collect and scrutinize/analyze re-searchable empirical material (data). A methods course should allow the student to deepen their understanding of strengths and challenges with the chosen approach on a general level. In addition, the student should acquire an increased ability to handle specific techniques for data collection and analysis. Consequently, the course must address methodological issues from a general perspective of relevance for other techniques than those specifically taught in the course (gas-chromatography, interviews, statistical trend analysis etc). It is common to find courses on qualitative and quantitative methods which meet these requirements.
A list of accepted methods courses follows below. Please note that you must check when the particular course you are interested in is offered:
RMES 500A Resource and Environmental Workshop
Instructor: Stephanie Chang, Cross-listed with PLAN 511
This course is the first of a two-part series (PLAN 511 and 515) that introduces students to the application of social science research methods to policy-oriented studies in the field of community and regional planning. PLAN 511 emphasizes the use of quantitative methods and computer applications. (PLAN 515 focuses on qualitative methods and research design.) This is a core course for SCARP master’s students. It is intended as a survey that can lead into other elective courses for more in-depth coverage of specific analytical and research methods.
RMES 500S Resource and Environmental Workshop (not offered 2011 – 2012)
Instructor: Terre Satterfield
This course guides students to recognize such things as that which constitutes good quality ‘data’; where to find it; how to use it; analyze it, contextualize it, interpret it, and/or represent it as evidence to different scholarly audiences. Students will become familiar with and literate in practices across disciplines pertaining to research ethics including collaborative research as well as questions pertaining to sensitivity to local norms, gender, power, data sharing and ownership.
RMES 542 Integrated Assessment
Instructor: Hadi Dowlatabadi
This course is about how to frame research questions in the realm of global change where path dependency, incomplete knowledge, agency and complex interactions abound. There is a strong emphasis on understanding how the issue being researched has come to the fore and why. This is followed up by an attempt to help students learn the value of their time and given the information that is available where their efforts is most likely to generate a payoff beyond the academic material needed to complete courses and “earn” degrees.
Forestry 531: Multivariate Statistical Methods
Instructor: Valerie LeMay
Multivariate analysis of variance, cluster, principal components, factor, canonical and discriminant analysis. Theory and conceptual background are presented but emphasis is on selection of appropriate analysis and interpretation of results. Examples from forestry and related fields are analyzed by computer programs at UBC.
Forestry 530: Multiple Regression Methods
Instructor: Valerie LeMay
Matrix algebra; algebra and inference of multiple linear and multiple curvilinear regressions for solution of problems in forestry and related fields. Non-linear regression. Methods of least squares for analysis of variance and covariance.
REM 661. Qualitative Methods in an Interdisciplinary Context
Instructor: Evelyn Pinkerton
Simon Fraser University
The course focuses on ethnographic and qualitative field methods and research design, complimenting the quantitative methods. View the course webpage for more information.
GEOG 471 Applied Concepts in Geographic Information Systems
Applications in conservation biology, crime analysis, and health geography; theoretical and practical aspects considered in a hands-on environment.
ANTH 516 Qualitative Methods in Anthropology
A discussion of selected methods used to observe, describe and interpret cultural phenomena and social organization, including participant observation, interviewing, ethnographic semantics, life histories, compensation analysis, and photography. Attention will also be given to ethics in anthropological research and writing and to such analytic matters as the nature of description, conceptualization,and content analysis.
BIOL 301 Biomathematics
Instructor: Sarah Otto
Introduction to uses of mathematics in the biological sciences; experimental design and modeling of biological processes. Credit given for only one of BIOL 301, FRST 430, or STST 305.
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