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International Development Studies
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International Development Studies
Theories and Methods in Research and Practice



April 2008 | 192 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
International Development Studies is an exploration of what it is to 'do' development studies as a distinct discipline. It introduces and addresses the fundamental questions that everyone engaged with development - whether student, researcher or practitioner - must ask:
  • What is 'development' and why do we wish to study it?
  • How do the many theoretical, methodological, and epistemological approaches relate to research and practical studies in development?
  • How are development research and practice linked?
Intended Audience: Accessibly written, with extensive use of case study material, this book is an essential primer for students of development studies who require a concise, penetrating overview of its foundations. It is also core reading for students and practitioners concerned with the design of studies in the course of policy analysis, sector reviews, or project formulation, management, and evaluation.

 
What Is 'Development'?
 
What is the Purpose of Development Studies?
 
What Can We 'Know' in Development Studies?
 
What Is the 'Big Picture' in Development Studies?
 
What Is 'Rigour' in Development Studies?
 
How Are Research and Practice Linked in Development Studies?
 
What Is the Future for Development Studies?

'This is the book that academics, development researchers and practitioners have been seeking for a long time. The book addresses the most important issues which development researchers and practitioners cope with each and every day' - Dr Tran Tuan, Director, Research and Training Centre for Community Development, Hanoi, Vietnam.


I thoroughly liked that book, even though (and maybe, precisely because) its conceptually dense and rich in discussions on the practcies of development research. It'll become one of the building blocs of my soon-to-start course on 'Development Theory and Policy'. The idea is to start with thinking about what we do & the way we are doing it BEFORE discussing specific approaches, theories, and linking them then to specific policy questions. I ordered a couple of copies for our university's library and, certainly, I am going to recommend this book as a value-for-money investment to the students.

Professor Alexander Brand
Society & Economics, Rhine-Waal University
June 23, 2015

I think this is an excellent book and one that still offers a different perspective on methodology books for development studies. The sections on research philosophy and the history of development studies are unrivalled by other texts. The emphasis on methods and practice is not quite so strong however.

Dr Nicola Banks
Institute of Development Policy and Management, Univ. of Manchester
May 28, 2015

Excellent I have even suggested this to new supervisors

Ms Bernadette Snow
Development Studies, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
February 6, 2014

This book will be useful for a future masters degree in international development as it focuses and discusses research methods in the field. However, it might not be suited for an undergraduate class. I will leave it on the side and will most likely use it when our masters programme will be up and running.

Dr Eddy Fang
Economics , Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University
March 23, 2013

Excellent texbook for a course on development. However, I had a lot to pack into my course and chose this as a recommended (not required) text for the course. Student response to the text has been positive and they found it clearly explained key approaches and concepts in international development. Also good case studies for class discussion and analysis.

Dr Ghada Masri
Global Studies, Marymount College
July 20, 2011

Excellent introduction to IDS written in a clear and accessible way.

Mrs Marina Stott
Social Work , Anglia Ruskin University
June 27, 2011

This book serves as a perfect introductory study book. The structure is consistent, guiding readers step by step through the obstacles when doing development research (in theory or pratice).
Each chapter offers a short summary in the beginning, which will be summed up at the end of the chapter. It's simply impossible to get lost. Current issues or discourses of DS are as much present as are traditional ones. Bibliographical note are up to date, thus delivering a very good source for further reading. Even when less interested in DS, students are enabled to learn about doing research in general.

Ms Nadine Mensel
Institute for Political Science, Chemnitz University of Technology
November 15, 2010

Good source for international sport development course. The text is student friendly

Dr Davies Banda
Other, York St John University College
December 14, 2009

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter One PDF


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