PHVIT9510 Concept and Theory Development in Health Sciences Course description

This course covers research into key phenomena originating from human experience of health and illness. Such phenomena can be perceptions of quality of life, hope, coping, pain, body, dignity, and suffering, and serve as the basis for developing concepts and theories in the health sciences. The course covers different methods for concept and theory development; for example, the hybrid model of concept development, semantic concept analysis, Walker and Avant's model for theory development, and grounded theory. The methods are applied to selected phenomena, concepts, and theories.

This course is primarily aimed at PhD candidates admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences but is also open to other applicants. Admission requirements are a completed major, master's degree (120 credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

On completion of the course, the PhD candidate has achieved the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The PhD candidate:

• is at the forefront of knowledge of methodologies related to the development of concepts and theories
• has an in-depth understanding of the relationship between human experience, concepts, and theories in a health science context

Skills

The PhD candidate can:

• develop a conceptual and/or theoretical framework related to their own research
• identify relevant clinical phenomena to develop concepts and theories
• analyse and interpret research findings related to concept and theory development
• address complex scientific issues and challenge established knowledge and practice in concept and theory development

General competence

The PhD candidate can:

• argue in favour of particular methodologies in concept and theory development based on scientific theory
• participate in discussions on concept and theory development

See programme description.

None

At the end of the course the student has obtained the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has knowledge of

• the role of education in the process of social change and sustainability
• the role of different religious traditions as part of educational systems, and how these traditions interplay with diversity and change in different regions in the South
• the role of education in nation building and in influencing individual growth, intellectually and emotionally
• the Rights Perspective and how the policy goal of 'Education for All' relates to the needs of various groups in society
• the relationship between diversity, religion, educational systems and politics, and how numerous conflicts are related to religious identities
• the influence of religion both on changing and maintaining social organization, and how it intersects with other differences

Skills

The student

• can reflect critically on the role of education, diversity and processes of change in societies, and how religious traditions interplay

General competence

The student

• is familiar with issues related to education, religion, diversity, and development, and can present them in an independent way, orally and in writing

The course will be running full time for six weeks. Seminar activities can be included in the lectures, where students are expected to participate actively.

In order to be admitted to the examination the student shall fulfil the following course work requirement: one three to four-page assignments on topics given by the lecturer. The work requirement gives the students an opportunity to reflect on central topics in the course literature. The assignment shall be submitted within the set deadline. If necessary, the student and teacher can agree on an extended deadline for submission of the assignment. The assignment is evaluated with -accepted- or -not accepted-. Students who get -not accepted- on their assignment may rewrite and submit maximum two new versions of the assignment. The student shall contact the teacher to get a new evaluation.

One internal examiner