MALKA213 Laboratory Exercises — Experimental Analysis of Behavior Course description

The course gives an introduction to the historical background and development of action research and practice research (including participatory action research, PAR, and participatory practice research, PPR). Research traditions, theories and methodological issues across a variety of disciplines within social and human sciences and professions are examined.

The course covers theories of science suited for positioning the epistemological and ontological grounding of action and practice research. Important questions include the following: What are the characteristics of action research and practice research? Which view of knowledge build the foundation for these research approaches? What possibilities for developing knowledge exist within different traditions in action research and practice research? What is the potential for carrying out innovative research?

The course includes knowledge on how to apply these research approaches in designing and developing the student’s own research projects. How to design an action or practice research project that is manageable within the resources of a PhD project is given special attention. Ethical challenges are highlighted and critically reflected on, such as power relations between researchers and other actors, anonymity and confidentiality as well as conflicts in the collaboration.

Main Subjects:

• Action Research
• Practice Research
• Participatory Action Research
• Epistemological and methodological issues

Coursework requirements from MALK4000-401, MALK4000-403, MALKA211 and MALKA212 or equivalent must be approved to participate and submit coursework requirements in MALKA213.

On successful completion of the course, the student has the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student can

• describe the logic and the methodology of experimental designs

Skills

The student can

• demonstrate shaping of different types of behavior in animals by using computer software
• design and conduct experiments, either as single-case research designs or group designs
• write a manuscript in accordance with principles in the current edition of the APA manual, using data from the Experiments
• use the principles for citations and references as given in the current edition of the APA manual

Competence

The student can

• ask and argue for relevant research questions
• describe methods of Experiments
• present results from Experiments
• discuss the results achieved in an experiment

The course is based on lectures, self-study and study groups/group work.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• None

Individual written project examination in the form of a scientific article, on a selected topic, with a maximum length of 30 pages, including the title page, references, tables, and figures, but excluding appendices. The article should be written using Times New Roman 12-font with double spaced lines. Students may submit their exams in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.;

Candidates must write a paper of 3000 words +/- 10%.

The paper for assessment must be handed in on a digital platform by a specified date. The paper must fulfill source reference and quotation technique requirements. A passed paper is a precondition for being awarded the 5 ECTS credits. If the paper is awarded a fail grade, the candidate can submit a revised paper once, by a specified deadline.

Grade scale A-F

All examination support material is allowed as long as source reference and quotation technique requirements are applied.