MED4100 Introduction to Research Methods Course description

The compulsory course Introduction to research methods will prepare students for critical thinking about methods and conducting within media development. The course provides a broad overview of key research methods, theory of science and research ethics, as well as skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods. Together with the course MED4000 Media Development and Media Research, it provides a common platform for all master's students in the program before they specialize in individual courses and master's thesis work.

None.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has in-depth knowledge of methods in both social science and humanities and types of analysis in journalism, media, communication and non-fiction research
• has in-depth knowledge of theory of science and research ethics
• understands the connection between research topic and choice of research design

Skills

The student

• can independently plan and carry out data collection and analysis
• can make research ethics assessments
• can develope a project design, which can be employed in the project outline for the master's thesis

General competence

The student

• can critically evaluate own and others' research method
• have an understanding of the scientific process, including the relationship between theory and data

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. In the seminars, the student will receive practical training in reflection on method and academic writing. The approach is interdisciplinary and examples will be given of how different methods can be combined. The course presupposes a high degree of student activity in the form of presentations, critical reading of other people's texts, problem solving and student work.

There are three work requirements related to the course. The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework I: Participation in the seminars. The purpose of the work requirement is to get the students started with methodological and ethical reflection through individual writing and group work. In order for this work requirement to be approved, absence from only one seminar is accepted.
• Coursework II: A preliminary sketch for research design and method choice for a possible master's project. The purpose of the work requirement is to use the syllabus in planning your own project. This work requirement can be based on work requirement 2 in the course MED4000 Media Development and Media Research. Length: 3-5 pages.
• Coursework III: Critical assessment of other students' method choices, research design and ethical assessments. The purpose of the work requirement is for students to become familiar with the master's thesis format and learn to critically discuss other people's method choices, by using the syllabus. Length: 6-8 pages.

The work requirements must be approved before the student take the exam. In the event of unapproved work requirements, the student can submit a new and improved edition within a specified deadline. In the event of illness or other documented reason, a separate deadline can be agreed upon with the teacher. If the student does not comply with the deadline given in the course syllabus or the agreed deadline, the student may not submit the assignment, and thus loses the right to take the exam. In the event of absence from more than one seminar without a valid reason (illness or other documented reason), the student loses the right take the exam.

The course ends with a school exam of 6 hours.

No aids are permitted

Scale from A - F.

Two sensors are used, and for an extract of at least 25 per cent of the answers, one sensor must be external. The grades on the extract form the basis for determining the level of the rest of the answers.

Tine Ustad Figenschou