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.

Language of instruction is Norwegian.

The following coursework must have been approved in order for a student to be permitted to take the exam:

• Project description for the bachelor's thesis.
• Completed supervision (three compulsory hours of the four hours offered).

If the deadlines are not met, students may be obliged to wait until the next academic year to submit their bachelor's thesis.

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

The teaching consists of lectures and seminars. In the seminars, the student will receive practical training in reflection on method and academic writing. The approach is interdisciplinary and examples will be given of how different methods can be combined. The course presupposes a high degree of student activity in the form of presentations, critical reading of other people's texts, problem solving and student work.

The teaching takes place in person, on campus.

Grade scale A-F.

One internal and one external examiner.

SKOMP3900, SYBA3900 and SYBAS3900 overlap 100%.

Scale from A - F.

Two sensors are used, and for an extract of at least 25 per cent of the answers, one sensor must be external. The grades on the extract form the basis for determining the level of the rest of the answers.

Tine Ustad Figenschou