MAERGD4300 Quantitative methodology Course description

The course deals with different research designs and methods for the collection of quantitative data. Different statistical techniques and analysis of quantitative research will be emphasised. The course will include an introduction to the statistics programme SPSS. Documentation and communication of quantitative research will also be discussed.

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student has in-depth knowledge of

• quantitative research design
• quantitative methods of data collection and analysis
• statistical methods

Skills

The student is capable of

• critically assessing quantitative studies
• formulating a research question, which can be answered using a quantitative method
• elaborating a quantitative research design
• choosing a relevant measurement method
• making statistical calculations
• analysing results

Competence

The student is capable of

• analysing relevant quantitative academic and research ethics issues
• applying his/her knowledge and skills to carry out quantitative tasks and projects
• disseminating quantitative academic questions, analysis and conclusions

The work methods vary between lectures, seminars with active discussion among students, seminars in data laboratories, group work and self-study. Part of the course is taught jointly with other master's programmes at the faculty.

Ingen arbeidskrav/obligatoriske aktiviteter

Assessment content: The learning outcomes

Form of assessment: Individual home exam, approx. 2500 words. The assignment is handed out at the start of the course and is submitted 14 days after the last day of the last session

Resit exam: The student submits a reworked version of the paper.

No requirements over and above the admission requirements.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• can describe the structure of the periodic system.
• can describe structure of atoms and structure og chemical bond in molecules, gases, liquids and solids.
• can describe the main types of chemical reactions.
• can describe the main principles of reaction kinetics, and the relationship between kinetics and equilibrium.
• can explain the terms enthalpy, entropy, and free energy and describe how they provide the connection between thermodynamics, electrochemistry and chemical equilibrium.
• can explain the behavior of galvanic cells and electrochemical cells.

Skills

The student:

• can name simple chemical compounds.
• can balance reaction equations.
• can perform stoichiometric calculations and determine concentrations and partial pressure at chemical equilibrium.
• can perform basic calculations within reaction kinetics, thermodynamics (enthalpy, entropy and free energy) and electrochemistry (galvanic cells and electrolysis).
• can perform simple chemical reactions and laboratory tests with both qualitative and quantitative determinations.
• can write and explain the results of the laboratory work in the journal, report and spreadsheet.

General competence

The student:

• can collaborate in groups both with practical and written work.
• have insight into the proper handling of chemicals on the basis of HSE data and from laboratory experience.

The teaching is organised as lectures, exercises and laboratory course