EPN-V2

ØAMET2100 Research Methods for Social Sciences Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Samfunnsvitenskapelig metode
Study programme
Bachelor's Programme in Facility Management
Bachelor Programme in Business Administration and Economics
Bachelor Programme in Auditing and Accounting
Weight
7.5 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

Samfunnsvitenskapelig metode er sentralt for å forstå og beskrive ulike sider ved mennesker og organisasjoner. Dette kurset gir innsikt i hvordan kvalitative og kvantitative metoder brukes for å forstå menneskers erfaringer og organisasjonsdynamikk, enten det er for å forbedre kommunikasjon, utvikle markedsstrategier eller lede endringsprosesser. Kvalitativ metode gir en dypere forståelse av menneskelige opplevelser og organisasjoners nå-situasjon, mens kvantitativ metode hjelper deg å identifisere mønstre og sammenhenger i data - begge avgjørende for å ta gode beslutninger.

I løpet av kurset lærer du hvordan du utvikler problemstillinger, samler inn, analyserer og rapporterer kvalitativ og kvantitativ data innen økonomisk-administrative områder som kommunikasjon, markedsføring, finans, organisasjonsadferd og ledelse. Dette gir deg et solid grunnlag for å undersøke komplekse sosiale fenomener og organisasjonsdynamikk, samt for å gjennomføre en bacheloroppgave.

Undervisningsspråk er norsk.

Recommended preliminary courses

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

Required preliminary courses

The management of human resources (HRM) is an important management task in most enterprises. In the practical management work, this area is closely related to financial management, organisation and strategic management. This course concerns the strategic and financial role of HRM, analyses how HRM contributes to value creation and competitiveness, discusses the role of HRM with regard to strategic planning and implementation, analyses the strategic role of contracts, jobs and labour markets, studies relevant compensation systems and how these affects motivation, analyses the strategic impact of turnover and recruitment systems, and studies how analyses and development of skills can be done. The course also covers the societal contingencies for HRM in particular with regard to international HRM. The course builds in particular on Organisation Theory, Leadership, and Business Strategy from the bachelor's degree programme, and on Research Methods for Social Sciences, Microeconomics and Introduction to Managerial Accounting. Recent research and current articles will play a key role in the course.

Learning outcomes

None

Teaching and learning methods

Varied forms of teaching will be used, with a combination of lectures, guest lectures, cases and class discussions and student presentations.

Course requirements

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

  • Coursework 1: Students must submit one written group assignment of up to 12 pages that must be approved and presented to the class before the student can take the exam. The presentation will take up to 25 minutes.

The required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by the given deadline.

The purpose of the coursework requirements is for the students to practice presenting and applying the theoretical knowledge taught in the course.

Assessment

The exam in the course is a supervised exam of 5 hours.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

Grade scale A-F

Grading scale

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

  • Coursework 1: A written literature review with a scope of 3-4 pages written individually.
  • Coursework 2: Presentation of an analysis carried out in groups. Each presentation must be 10-15 minutes long, and each group member must contribute to the presentations. The group will consist of 4-8 students, depending on the number of students enrolled in the course.
  • Coursework 3: Preparation of questions based on one of the other groups' analyses. The students must oppose one of the other groups' presentations, and create discussion in the classroom.

The aim of the coursework requirement is the development of individual and group analysis skills, as well as contributing to discussion in plenary.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If one or more coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one new opportunity to get these approved, within a given deadline.

Examiners

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Course contact person

Grade scale A-F