MALK4000-403 Behavior Analysis and Radical Behaviorism Course description

Behavior analysis rests on two basic assumptions: a natural science of human behavior is possible, and such a science is desirable. Behavior analysis is the science of regularities in the relations between individual behavior and events in the individual’s environment. An important part of behavior analysis is developing a conceptual framework and a scientific methodology that allow the behavior analyst to precisely describe, correctly predict, and experimentally control behavior, given certain types of information about the history of the individual and the species. This methodology is demonstrably useful in promoting planned desired changes in behavior. The course places the behavior analytic approach in a context of history and philosophy of science, and introduces core topics that are relevant for complex human behavior.

This course on interactive information retrieval (IIR) focuses on users' use and interaction with information systems and the users' satisfaction with retrieved information. The course deals with central concepts and models as well as theoretical and methodical aspects of context-based evaluation of IIR. Emphasis is placed on the relations between users, information needs, information situations, relevance of retrieved information, and information seeking behaviour. In particular, the course focuses on methods and study designs (methodology) for how to study users' system interaction, their satisfaction with retrieved information, and information seeking behaviour.

In summary, the course covers:

• Conceptions of information need and relevance, as well as models of information searching, information seeking, and information behaviour.
• (I)IR evaluation approaches.
• Data collection methods and study design for (I)IR evaluation and user studies.

The teaching language is in English when there are foreign exchange students present.

None.

The course provides students with experience in evaluating and communicating scientific texts as well as the practical and theoretical knowledge related to the various stages of the research process.

The course is mandatory for all students.

Lectures, dialog-based teaching in the form of class discussions based on "week assignments", group work, and student presentations.

The student conducts an empirical study based on the course (in the form of a pilot study).

The empirical study can be made individually, or in groups of 2-3 students.

Knowledge

The student has

• in-depth knowledge about the different philosophy of science perspectives on what constitutes knowledge
• advanced knowledge about the philosophy of science basis for library and information science as a field of study
• specialised insight into criteria for research quality and for ethically sound research
• specialised knowledge about important quantitative and qualitative methods for the collection, processing and analysis of research data
• practical and theoretical knowledge about the stages of a research project, from developing a research question to reporting and publication

;

Skills

The student is capable of

• evaluating the quality of existing research and relating it to the philosophy of science basis for library and information science
• articulating research issues and research questions and relating them to relevant choices of methods
• planning and developing an individual, limited research project in the form of a master¿s thesis

;

General competence

The student

• can discuss criteria for assessing research quality both in writing and orally
• can design a research project of similar size and scope as an MA thesis and share their reflections both in writing and orally

The assessment has two parts: 

1. The student writes a term paper reporting the empirical study
2. The student takes an oral exam on the basis of the term paper (empirical study) and the complete syllabus

The term paper is based on the empirical study and can be made individually (approximately 20 pages, excluding list of references), or in groups of 2-3 students (approximately 25 pages, excluding list of references). In the case of group work it must be clearly stated which student is responsible for which sections to ensure individual assessment. The introduction, problem statement, and conclusion can be joint work.

Font and font size: Arial/Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

The oral exam is taken individually. Oral examination: 30 minutes. The internal examiner and the external examiner make the assessment of both the term paper and the oral exam. Texts from syllabus, course notes, and presentation notes are permitted at the oral exam.

The student may choose English or Norwegian as examination language.

The term paper and oral exam each counts 50%. The grades of both the term paper and the oral exam are declared at the oral exam. The final grade is announced at Studentweb. The three grades are specified in the course certificate.

The student must pass both the term paper and the oral exam to pass the course.

In case the term paper does not pass, the student is informed in advance of the oral exam, and the oral exam is postponed. The student revise the term paper and takes the oral exam on the basis of the revised term paper and complete syllabus. Note, no supervision is offered in the case of revision of the term paper.

A student who has failed the oral exam is entitled to take a new oral exam on the basis of term paper and complete syllabus.

Term paper: All written aids are allowed as long as the source reference rules are followed.

Oral examination: Texts from syllabus, course notes, and presentation notes are permitted at the oral exam.

Grading scale A-F.