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
2023/2024
Curriculum
FALL 2023
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

Required preliminary courses

Projects are presented to students during the first semester of the programme. Students’ own projects must be approved by the person responsible for the course during the first semester.

Academic supervisors are assigned in connection with the allocation of thesis topics. The supervision is intended to ensure satisfactory work progress and quality. The student and supervisor sign a supervision contract that regulates responsibilities and rights, time frames and availability.

Students meet for seminars during the period they are working on the master’s thesis. At the beginning of the second year of the programme, students and supervisors attend a start-up seminar. A few weeks later, another seminar is held to present and discuss the individual project plans. Several sessions dealing with relevant topics are held during the year. The process concludes in a seminar where students present their results.

Detailed guidelines for the master’s thesis will be published online.

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 understand the choice of different qualitative and quantitative analysis methods and can interpret the results
  • 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 be digital, including blended learning.

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

An individual written master’s thesis and an individual oral exam including a presentation of the thesis, up to 1.5 hours. The master’s thesis can be written as a monograph of up to 80 pages or an article manuscript with a supplementary introductory chapter of up to 45 pages.

The written thesis must be awarded a grade of A-E (preliminary grade) in order for a student to take the oral exam. The final grade is set after the oral exam. The grade can be adjusted up or down by one grade based on the oral exam.

Theses are written in Norwegian or English. The oral exam can be taken in Norwegian or English, regardless of which language the thesis was written in.

Resit exam: If the master’s thesis is awarded the grade F (fail), the student will be given one (1) opportunity to submit a reworked version.

Students can appeal against the grade set for the written part of the exam. If the grade is changed after an appeal against the grade, and the oral exam has already been held, the oral exam must be retaken.

Assessment

Individual home examination (multiple choice test), two hours.

The examination will be in English.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

Grade scale A-F;

Grading scale

All the exams are assessed by an external and an internal examiner.

Examiners

Two internal and two external examiners control the exam questions. Each examination paper will be assessed by one internal examiner.

Overlapping courses

The course overlaps 100% with MAABI4050, MASYK4050, MASYD4050, MAPO4050, MAPSD4050, ABIO6050, KREFT6050, KREFT6200, KARD6050, PSY6050, VPSYD6050, PSYD6050, HEL6050, and BIT6000.