EPN-V2

MAVIT4050 Theory of Science and Research Methods Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Vitenskapsteori og forskningsmetode
Study programme
Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction - Full Time
Suplementary Education in Cardiological Nursing
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for the older adult
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Empowerment and Health Promotion
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nutrition Competencies for Health Professionals
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nutrition Competencies for Health Professionals
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Rehabilitation and Habilitation
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Public Health Nursing
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nursing; Clinical Research and Professional Development
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Cancer Nursing
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Health
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Public Health Nutrition
Master’s Programme in Health Sciences – Interdisciplinary Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction, part-time
Master's Programme in Health Sciences
Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Occupational Therapy
Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction - Part Time
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2021/2022
Curriculum
FALL 2021
SPRING 2022
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

Language of instruction: English (Norwegian if no English-speaking students have registered for the course)

Development and changes in the health and social care field are often based on new research. To become a good professional practitioner within health sciences, it is necessary to understand and apply research literature and to see it in conjunction with clinical experience and professional development. Theory of science is an important part of the basis for understanding scientific activity. The course stimulates students to take an inquisitive and critical approach to knowledge development in order to make them better equipped to assess the grounds on which health-related decisions are made. The course also provides an overview of the most commonly applied methods in qualitative and quantitative research, and of key principles of research ethics. Insight into the various methods means that as professional practitioners, they will be able to identify research literature that is suitable to answer questions related to the health sciences.

Recommended preliminary courses

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

  • Coursework 1: A group of 2-4 students creates a poster on one of the course topics. The poster describes a research project in progress and must be accompanied by a note (4 pages) that provides a detailed description of the poster.
  • Coursework 2: Plenary presentation (10-15 minutes) of the poster with all group members participating. Before the presentation, each group is assigned a poster and notes from another group to provide a thorough commentary. Like the poster, the commentary should include both a written note (2 pages) and an oral discussion with all group members participating.

The purpose of the requirements is to contribute to achieving learning outcomes, especially the skill requirements. Requirements must be completed and approved by the specified deadline for students to take the exam. In the case of absence or non-compliance, the student/group must submit a text on an assigned topic by a set date and present it to the instructors. If a requirement is not approved, there is an opportunity to submit a revised version once.

Required preliminary courses

Admission to the programme.

Learning outcomes

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

Knowledge

The student

  • can identify and compare the most common methods used in qualitative and quantitative research
  • can discuss the most common theories of science and the relationship between theory of science and research method

Skills

The student

  • can identify different types of clinical questions, such as questions about effect and prognosis, and knows which study design is most suitable for answering different clinical questions
  • can critically assess research articles
  • can analyse and interpret quantitative data, such as descriptive tables and figures
  • can analyse and interpret qualitative data, such as various forms of text material
  • can identify and discuss issues related to research ethics

General competence

The student

  • can analyse relevant academic, professional and issues related to research ethics and propose solutions
  • can disseminate research results of relevance to the discipline
  • can analyse academic problems on the basis of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the health sciences

Teaching and learning methods

The course will use varied, student-active work methods. The teaching will mainly be digital, in addition to blended learning with seminars on campus during the course.

Work and teaching methods include digital lectures, digital group assignments, in-depth and reflection assignments at seminars on relevant topics, and self-study. The students will give oral presentations at the seminars, and receive oral feedback from fellow students on their group work and oral feedback from the lecturer.

Course requirements

This course is about making digital cultural heritage visible through interaction with digital texts and images, primarily from archives and libraries. Visibility here means that aspects of these texts, which are not accessible through traditional methods like close reading, are made visible using digital and statistical methods such as "distant reading" of large corpora. Such aspects may include less-read or referenced texts (also known as "the great unread"), occurrences of pregnant words and themes among different authors and through different eras, identification of patterns in images etc. The course addresses the challenges and opportunities associated with the quantity and diversity of digital material. Through examples drawn from literature and archives, students experience firsthand how digital methods can generate new knowledge.

The course language is English.

Assessment

Emnet handler om kroppens anatomiske struktur og fysiologiske funksjon. Forholdet mellom struktur og funksjon i hjerte- og karsystemet, respirasjonssystemet og det endokrine systemet, og samspill mellom organsystemer samt kroppens evne til adaptasjon vektlegges. Kunnskap om kroppens normale fysiologiske prosesser i hvile og under arbeid, samt kunnskap om kroppens evne til å tilpasse seg, strukturelt og fysiologisk, til ulike typer stimuli og belastning. Emnet utgjør andre del av to, og dekker grunnleggende muskel- og skjellettanatomi og innervasjon knyttet til overekstremitetene (skulder, albue og hånd).

Permitted exam materials and equipment

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

  • advanced knowledge of information needs as well as of use of information and knowledge in different contexts such as everyday life, working life, research and education, etc.
  • good overview and specialized knowledge of the role of various channels for satisfying the information needs and their prominence for seeking and sharing information and knowledge
  • advanced knowledge of the theoretical models for understanding seeking and sharing of information and knowledge
  • advanced understanding of the relationship between human information behaviour and methods of information and knowledge management

Skills

The student is able to

  • use empirical and theoretical models on information behaviour and information mediating institutions' role in information seeking processes to design research projects
  • reflect upon how information needs and information use is affected and changed by political, demographic, cultural and technological changes, the emergence of new forms of learning and experience, etc.
  • plan, develop and lead information and knowledge management in practice with reference to in-depth knowledge of information needs and information seeking behaviour

General competence

The student has the ability to

  • analytically discuss and assess the flow of information at a workplace.
  • participate in knowledge management projects at a workplace.

Grading scale

The course is organized as a series of three three-day sessions.

The course is given either in Scandinavian languages with occasional English contributions, or exclusively in English.

Examiners

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student 

  • has advanced knowledge of information and culture disseminating institutions, first and foremost archives and libraries and these institutions values and social roles
  • has specialist knowledge and understanding of the relationship between the different institutions and how this relationship is influenced by their political, demographic, cultural, technological surroundings
  • has in-depth knowledge about the respective professionals' roles and practice in the three different types of institution
  • has knowledge of relevant theories from the social sciences such as theory of the public sphere and cultural theory, as well as theories and methods for assessing and evaluating the usefulness of information and cultural disseminating institutions

Skills

The student

  • masters relevant theoretical terms and perspectives that are used in research in the field in order to analyse and understand the relevant institutions, their history, development and change processes, etc.
  • is capable of reflecting on the professional practice in archives and libraries
  • has developed a knowledge base in relation to the empirical field and to theory and methods that enable them to design and conduct research projects on topics pertaining to information and culture disseminating institutions
  • is capable of leading complex planning processes leading to the ability to update the archives and libraries' role in relation to social changes

General Competence

The student

  • has the ability to cooperate across information science specialisations
  • has the ability to enage in professional and scholary discussions and debates
  • has greater awareness of innovative projects and activities happening in Scandinavian archives, libraries and museums, as well as internationally

Overlapping courses

Individuell skriftlig eksamen (flervalgsoppgaver) under tilsyn, 4 timer.