Programplaner og emneplaner - Student
MAVIT4050 Theory of Science and Research Methods Course description
- Course name in Norwegian
- Vitenskapsteori og forskningsmetode
- Study programme
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Interdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction - Full TimeSuplementary Education in Cardiological NursingMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Children and AdolescentsMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for the older adultMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Empowerment and Health PromotionMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nutrition Competencies for Health ProfessionalsMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nutrition Competencies for Health ProfessionalsMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Rehabilitation and HabilitationMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Public Health NursingMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Nursing; Clinical Research and Professional DevelopmentMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Cancer NursingMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal HealthMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Psychomotor PhysiotherapyMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Public Health NutritionMaster’s Programme in Health Sciences – Interdisciplinary Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction, part-timeMaster's Programme in Health SciencesMaster's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Occupational TherapyInterdisciplinary Advanced Programme in Mental Health and Addiction - Part Time
- Weight
- 10.0 ECTS
- Year of study
- 2023/2024
- Curriculum
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FALL 2023
- Schedule
- Programme description
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- Course history
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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
All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.
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 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
Language of instruction: Norwegian and English
This course covers the research process from the planning phase until completion of the master’s thesis, including literary searches and referencing, formulation of research questions/hypotheses/issues, choice of research method and development of a project description, as well as ethical assessments relating to the student’s own work. Formal requirements for the project description are also covered to enable the student to complete the project description for their master’s thesis by the end of the course.
Course requirements
The student must have been admitted to the Master’s Programme in Health Sciences.
Assessment
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 develop a research question for their master’s thesis
- can independently describe relevant academic frame of reference and/or context as a foundation for a project plan for the master’s thesis
Skills
The student
- can plan a research project and write a project description in a precise scientific format and language
- can carry out extensive and systematic literature searches relating to their own project description, summarise and discuss the findings of others, and cite sources correctly
- can reflect upon ethical issues related to the project
General competence
The student
- can analyse and deal critically with various sources of data and use them in scholarly arguments
- can critically assess relevant ethical norms and values related to the chosen method in the project plan
- can assess whether a research project requires various forms of registration or approval in accordance with the applicable legislation
Permitted exam materials and equipment
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, individual literature studies and written work, oral presentations, group discussions and supervision. Up to two hours of guidance is given on the project description.
Grading scale
The following must have been approved in order for the student to take the examination:
- compulsory attendance and participation at seminar days for your own specialisation
- presentation of own student’s project description for the master’s thesis with subsequent discussion in a plenary session
- held the role of opponent, providing feedback on one or more fellow students' project plan (peer assessment/opponent)
Examiners
A project examination in the form of a project description for the student's master’s thesis, individual or in groups, depending on whether the thesis will be written individually or in a group. Scope: 3,000 words (+/- 20%). For group assignments, one overall grade is awarded for the whole group.
Resit examination: If the student fails the assignment, he/she will be given opportunity to submit a reworked version.
If the course is taught in English, students can also choose to write/conduct the examination in a Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish or Danish).
Overlapping courses
Pass/fail.