RESEARCH METHODS FOR ANALYZING
COMPLEX PROBLEMS: INTRODUCTION
1 Durwin Lynch, MSc, Athena Institute
, Learning Objectives RMCP
Use the research objectives to learn for the exam and the project
Lecture RD
To understand the differences between beta- and gamma research; 1ab, 2, 3
To acquire insight in, and understanding of, a real world research process, 1ab, 3 X
including knowledge of the character of complex societal issues and the
needs, advantages and disadvantages of real world research;
To acquire insight into various quantitative and qualitative research methods, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11
their underlying theoretical concepts and their relative strengths and
weaknesses;
Being able to apply these various quantitative and qualitative research 3, 4, 5 X
methods in a specific societal context;
To interpret quantitative and qualitative findings; 8, 9,
Being able to create an adequate research design for the investigation of a 1ab, 2, 3, 4 X
specific complex societal problem 5, 6
To initiate the process of reflection in doing research 1ab, 2, 3, 6,
all WG’s
, Passing RMCP
Final grade
§ 40% assignment Research Design (Deadline: 20/9)
§ 60%: Combined grade Exam I of 60% (26/9) & Exam II of 40% (17/10)
(Duration Exams: max. 2 hours and 15 min)
§ RD and Exam grade need to be 5,50 or higher, each
§ Attendance of workgroups compulsory
§ Passing RMCP = Requirement to embark on Internship I
,Week RMCP AGP
• Lec & WG Research Design
1
• Lec. & WG Theory, Concepts and Models
§ Lecture Methodology
2 § Informal Interview Commissioner
§ Lecture Interviews
3 § Deadline Research Design
§ Merge RDs à 1 AGP group
4 § Exam I
§ Plan interviews
§ Interview Training
5 § Plan interviews
§ Lec. & WG Qualitative Data Analysis I
§ Qualitative Data Analysis Software Training
6 § Conduct interviews / Analysis
§ Lec. Qualitative Data Analysis II
7 § Exam II § Conduct interviews / Analysis
8 § Report and presentation for Commissioner
, What are COMPLEX PROBLEMS?
Durwin 16
Lynch, MSc, Athena Institute
, Complex Problems
e.g. social and lack of resources
Unpredictable Problems are
Uncertain multi-dimensional
Different
Multipl: actors/stakeholders
(conflicting)
§ Academic vs non-
• Facts
academic stakeholders
• Values
• Perspectives
Different Perceptions:
Various: § Problem definitions
§ Rules & regulations § Problem Roots
§ Management
§ Solutions
§ Markets
COMPLEX PROBLEMS: INTRODUCTION
1 Durwin Lynch, MSc, Athena Institute
, Learning Objectives RMCP
Use the research objectives to learn for the exam and the project
Lecture RD
To understand the differences between beta- and gamma research; 1ab, 2, 3
To acquire insight in, and understanding of, a real world research process, 1ab, 3 X
including knowledge of the character of complex societal issues and the
needs, advantages and disadvantages of real world research;
To acquire insight into various quantitative and qualitative research methods, 3, 4, 5, 8, 11
their underlying theoretical concepts and their relative strengths and
weaknesses;
Being able to apply these various quantitative and qualitative research 3, 4, 5 X
methods in a specific societal context;
To interpret quantitative and qualitative findings; 8, 9,
Being able to create an adequate research design for the investigation of a 1ab, 2, 3, 4 X
specific complex societal problem 5, 6
To initiate the process of reflection in doing research 1ab, 2, 3, 6,
all WG’s
, Passing RMCP
Final grade
§ 40% assignment Research Design (Deadline: 20/9)
§ 60%: Combined grade Exam I of 60% (26/9) & Exam II of 40% (17/10)
(Duration Exams: max. 2 hours and 15 min)
§ RD and Exam grade need to be 5,50 or higher, each
§ Attendance of workgroups compulsory
§ Passing RMCP = Requirement to embark on Internship I
,Week RMCP AGP
• Lec & WG Research Design
1
• Lec. & WG Theory, Concepts and Models
§ Lecture Methodology
2 § Informal Interview Commissioner
§ Lecture Interviews
3 § Deadline Research Design
§ Merge RDs à 1 AGP group
4 § Exam I
§ Plan interviews
§ Interview Training
5 § Plan interviews
§ Lec. & WG Qualitative Data Analysis I
§ Qualitative Data Analysis Software Training
6 § Conduct interviews / Analysis
§ Lec. Qualitative Data Analysis II
7 § Exam II § Conduct interviews / Analysis
8 § Report and presentation for Commissioner
, What are COMPLEX PROBLEMS?
Durwin 16
Lynch, MSc, Athena Institute
, Complex Problems
e.g. social and lack of resources
Unpredictable Problems are
Uncertain multi-dimensional
Different
Multipl: actors/stakeholders
(conflicting)
§ Academic vs non-
• Facts
academic stakeholders
• Values
• Perspectives
Different Perceptions:
Various: § Problem definitions
§ Rules & regulations § Problem Roots
§ Management
§ Solutions
§ Markets
