MSB203 Applied Methods and Research Design

Contents and structure

The course consists of two different parts: 

Part 1: Qualitative methods

The course will provide knowledge of research design and methods that will prepare students to complete an independent research project and/or the master's thesis. The course includes basic knowledge of research design and introduction to qualitative methods. The course will provide insight into key theoretical issues and link them to scientific methods and method choices. Students will gain insight into how to prepare a qualitative research design. Students are introduced to various methods in qualitative research, such as ethnographic methods, observation and interviewing (including various interview techniques). Insight is also provided in case study research.

 

Part 2: Academic writing

This course begins with an introduction to the nature and status of knowledge. Following this positional phase, the course moves on to how different types of knowledge and questions might be addressed via particular methodologies, methods and tactics. Ethical considerations and the legal framework regarding data collection and storage of data will be assessed. Students will then use this learning to draft a term paper

Main objective  

• To orient students with ontological and epistemological positions in research philosophy.
• To provide students with a good understanding of how to design and write a master thesis. 

Learning Outcome

Part 1: Qualitative methods

Knowledge

Students ...

· Has advanced knowledge of scientific theoretical issues and how these are related to the choice of qualitative methods and implementation of research projects

· Has advanced knowledge of how to prepare a qualitative research design for independent research work

· Has in-depth knowledge of key methods and techniques in qualitative research.

 

Skills

Students ...

· Can prepare and carry out independent qualitative research work

· Can apply key methods and techniques in qualitative research.

 

General competence

Students ...

· Can apply knowledge of research design and method and critically assess the suitability of different research designs and methods for specific research projects

· Can prepare and carry out independent research work based on theoretical and methodological knowledge

 

Part 2 Academic Writing:

Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, the student: 

• Has knowledge about the main ontological and epistemological positions in research philosophy.
• has knowledge about the main principles of research design 
• has knowledge about the legal framework regarding data collection and storage of data  
• has thorough knowledge about how to prepare, organize and write a master’s thesis.   

 

Skills

Upon completion of the course, the student: 

• conduct an epistemological and ontological argument on the status of knowledge and its credibility in particular given contexts and scenarios.  
• analyze literature to conduct/create a literature review. 
• justify appropriate research design for research projects.    

  Competence: 

• Upon completion of the course, the student can: 

analyze relevant ethical problems in research

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

Part 1: Qualitative methods

The teaching will be a combination of lectures, practical exercises in qualitative methods / analysis, student-active seminars with e.g. student presentations and group and plenary discussions. Students are expected to be active in the teaching by asking questions, answering questions and showing the ability to critically reflect on the subject matter. Students will participate in group work / discussion assignments and present orally the results of the group work in qualitative methods and case study research.

 

Part two about academic writing: 

The teaching format is a combination of lectures, practical and writing on a compulsory report to hand in. 

Compulsory learning activities

Part 1: Qualitative methods

For the course covering qualitative methods one has to hand in a report which must be approved. Without an approval of this report, one is not allowed to take the exam for this part of the course.

 

Part 2: Academic writing

For the course part two, students have to hand in a report.  

Assessment

For the qualitative methods part (5 sp): 

• Three hour written individual school exam. 

For part two (5 sp): 

• Students have to hand in a term paper with grade accepted/not accepted.

Students have to pass both the written exam and get the term paper accepted in order to get the final grade in the course.

Examination support material

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