EPN-V2

MAUUD4400 Research Methods and Research Ethics Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Research Methods and Research Ethics
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2016/2017
Course history
  • Introduction

    This course covers qualitative and quantitative research methods that are essential to the UD of ICT Master's programme and ethical perspectives in UD research.

  • Required preliminary courses

    Admission requirements.

  • Learning outcomes

    A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

    Knowledge

    On successful completion of this course the student:

    • has thorough knowledge of qualitative methods
    • has thorough knowledge of quantitative methods
    • has thorough knowledge of the requirements and standards for registration, processing, and storage of information about participants in UD research

    Skills

    On successful completion of this course the student:

    • can formulate research questions
    • can design qualitative studies and set up qualitative experiments
    • can use fieldwork strategies
    • can use qualitative analysis and interpret data (with and without software tools)
    • can evaluate strategies to enhance qualitative studies (e.g., using triangulation)
    • can analyse the researcher's own role, influence and bias in a qualitative data collection
    • can plan and carry out statistical tests

    General competence

    On successful completion of this course the student:

    • can analyse ethical issues related to privacy and anonymity for participants in studies
    • can handle personal data within the limits of privacy law and ethical standards
    • can evaluate and select the research design, method, and analysis tools appropriate to the proposed research question/s
    • can apply knowledge and skills learned on qualitative and quantitative methods on new problems and answer open questions
  • Teaching and learning methods

    The course consists of lectures, workshops, and/or tutorials and potentially inclusion of online learning resources. Guidance and feedback are provided by the lecturer(s).

  • Course requirements

    One individual report (500-1000 words) in either quantitative, qualitative methods or ethics.

    One reflection statement of 500-750 words, describing their own thoughts, challenges and participation in the project.

  • Assessment

    One project report (5000-6000 words) in pairs, with a project log book as attachment to the report.

    Use of Examiners

    Two internal examiners will assess the report with attached log book. External examiner is used periodically.

    Assessment grades

    A grading scale of A (highest) to F (lowest) where A to E is a pass grade and F is a fail grade.

    Syllabus

    Compulsory literature

    (approx.. 800 pages in total)

    Cairns, P., Cox, A. L., Research Methods for Human-Computer Interaction, Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-87, pp. 112-157, 2008.

    Everitt, B. S., Torsten Hothorn, A Handbook of Statistical Analyses Using R, Chapman & Hall/CRC, pp. 55-72, pp. 215-226, pp. 243-258, 2006.

    Lazar, J., Feng, J. H., Hochheiser, H., Research Methods in Human-Computer Interaction, Wiley, pp. 217-248, pp. 281-303, 2010.

    Walpole, R. E., Myers, R. H., Myers, S. L., Ye, K., Probability & Statistics for Engineers & Scientists, 8th Edition, Prentice Hall, pp. 1-30, pp. 321-444, pp. 511-610, 2007.

    Selected articles from relevant academic books, journals and conference proceedings will be informed about during the course.