Postgraduate Course: Research Methods for Climate Change Finance (CMSE11456)
Course Outline
| School | Business School |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course aims to provide students with an introductory understanding of research methods used in the area of climate change finance, both qualitative and quantitative. Students will develop a conceptual and critical understanding of these research methods and will learn how to implement some of these methods in workshops. |
| Course description |
Academic Description
This course provides an introduction to social science research methods that are commonly used in climate change finance research. Carbon finance/climate change is a rapidly growing field, cross-disciplinary in nature, which requires an understanding of both qualitative and quantitative techniques to fully appraise research in these areas.
This course begins by introducing students to social science research and explaining the various research paradigms that motivate the development and application of research methodologies. The course will then review, explain and discuss various qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques. Students are expected to develop a broad conceptual understanding of these methods, hand-on skills in implementing some of them, as well as a critical mindset when approaching research. The skills developed on this course are transferable and may also be very useful for the dissertation.
Outline Content
1. An introduction to social science research
2. Research paradigms and philosophical considerations
3. Current research in climate change finance
4. Qualitative research methods
5. Quantitative research methods
Student Learning Experience
The course will be delivered through weekly lectures. There will also be computer lab workshops, in which students would learn to practically implement some of these research methods.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2020/21, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Block 3 (Sem 2) |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 4,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
84 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Essay (Individual) 100% - Assesses LO1, LO2, LO3 |
| Feedback |
Formative feedback will be provided to the students during workshops. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Present research questions and develop hypotheses consistent with the academic manner.
- Critically discuss and evaluate the research methods applied in climate change finance studies.
- Identify, critically evaluate, select, and justify appropriate research methods to relevant research questions.
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Reading List
The course Resource List is available at:
https://eu01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/lists/28863784920002466
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Knowledge and Understanding
After completing this course, students should have:
- A critical understanding of most of the methods, concepts and terminology related to social science research, especially in the area of climate change finance
- Critical knowledge and understanding of the current trends in research in climate change finance
Practice: Applied Knowledge, Skills and Understanding
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Implement some research techniques to study problems in climate change finance
- Critically select an appropriate research method based on his/her own research beliefs and philosophical stance
Cognitive Skills
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Develop analytical, numerical and problem solving skills
- Critically assess existing understanding in a defined area of knowledge
- Recognise qualitative and quantitative techniques appropriate to the analysis of particular circumstances
- Apply several relevant qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Use relevant literature and data reference materials
Subject Specific Skills
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Understand and apply several research techniques that could be used for studying a range of problems in finance, particularly climate change finance
- Understand various research approaches which they can apply to their dissertation projects
Communication, ICT, and Numeracy Skills
After completing this course, students should be able to:
- Communicate technical, conceptual and critical information clearly and concisely
- Apply several quantitative techniques using statistical software packages
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| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Woon Sau Leung
Tel:
Email: WoonSau.Leung@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Rhiannon Pilkington
Tel: (0131 6)50 8072
Email: Rhiannon.Pilkington@ed.ac.uk |
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