MED4100 Introduction to Research Methods Course description

The compulsory course Introduction to research methods will prepare students for critical thinking about methods and conducting within media development. The course provides a broad overview of key research methods, theory of science and research ethics, as well as skills in both quantitative and qualitative methods. Together with the course MED4000 Media Development and Media Research, it provides a common platform for all master's students in the program before they specialize in individual courses and master's thesis work.

None.

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 in-depth knowledge of methods in both social science and humanities and types of analysis in journalism, media, communication and non-fiction research
• has in-depth knowledge of theory of science and research ethics
• understands the connection between research topic and choice of research design

Skills

The student

• can independently plan and carry out data collection and analysis
• can make research ethics assessments
• can develope a project design, which can be employed in the project outline for the master's thesis

General competence

The student

• can critically evaluate own and others' research method
• have an understanding of the scientific process, including the relationship between theory and data

Language of instruction: Norwegian

This course focuses on legislation and health policy guidelines related to public health, empowerment and health-promoting work. Key areas include empowerment as a concept, process and result, as well as learning and coping. Students will work on concepts, theory and models related to public health work and public health science. Collaboration, interprofessional cooperation, and user participation and decision-making support will be highlighted and critically assessed.

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 analyse key academic and health policy guidelines and their consequences for practice
• can analyse the roles and functions of health personnel in the areas of public health, empowerment and health promotion
• can critically assess the meaning of social inequality and the relationship between health, power and society

Skills

The student:

• can analyse the meaning of the principles of empowerment thinking (the user as the expert on him/herself, participation and the redistribution of power)

General competence

The student:

• can analyse academic and ethical problems in the areas of public health, empowerment and health-promoting work

The course will use varied, student-active work methods. Work and teaching methods include lectures, group work and self-study.

Individual home examination over two weeks. Scope: 2,500 words (+/- 10%)

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

All answers are assessed by one examiner.

An external examiner is used regularly, at a minimum of every third completion of the course. When selecting answers for external evaluation, a minimum of 10 percent of the answers shall be included, with no fewer than 5 answers. The external examiner’s assessment of the selected answers shall benefit all students.

10 ECTS credits overlaps with MAPO4100 Public Health, Empowerment and Health Promotion, 10 ECTS credits.