PINS9200 Research Methodology and Research Design for Sustainability Course description

Sustainable development implies inter-, multi- and transdisciplinary encounters. The course will introduce the candidates to different research methodologies especially suitable to illuminate complex phenomena and expose the candidates to opportunities and challenges of inter- and transdisciplinary research collaboration. The candidates will get comprehensive insight into Responsible Research and Innovation and acquire skills in analysis and reflection on ethical dilemmas in research. The candidates will learn to develop a research design appropriate for their PhD project. The syllabus may be abbreviated and adapted to fit the interest of the participants of the course in cooperation with the supervisors.

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills and general competence).

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has an extensive understanding of what philosophy of science is
• has in depth knowledge of philosophy of science applied in sustainability studies
• has in depth understanding of the normative and structural positions and implications of various ontological and epistemological perspectives in the philosophy of science of sustainability

Skills

The candidate:

• can integrate philosophy of science in research tasks and reflect on own research project
• can discuss different ontological and epistemological perspectives in sustainability research
• can participate in debates on the philosophy of science foundations in their own field and in relation to different research traditions
• can critically assess research through analysis of discourses, norms, vlaues, concepts, models, and methods

General competence

The candidate:

• can identify and analyse philosophy of science problems and issues within their own and others’ research
• can recognize and discuss normativity and values in sustainability studies
• can identify and discuss the meanings and uses of concepts and definitions relating to sustainability as a discursive field that dictate action and charter directions for change

Active participation in the seminars is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Participation is therefore mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching and required to attend at least 80 percent of teaching days. In special cases of documented illness, the course leader may accept exceptions to this requirement. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted with alternative arrangements such as writing a reflection note.

Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. The course requirement must be completed and confirmed within the given deadline in order to have the right to submit a final essay.

The course requirements are:

• A plenary presentation of a 'glossary of sustainability' decided in collaboration with the course lecturer.
• A prepared opposition to at least one other presentation.
• 80 % attendance is required.

Individual glossary (4000-5000 words). The glossary will discuss relevant terms that relate to the understandings and meanings of sustainability in the candidate’s PhD project. Cover page, illustrations, and list of references come in addition.

If a glossary is graded fail, the candidate has one opportunity to resubmit a revised glossary within a given time-period.

Assessment is pass/ fail.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer and one other examinator. External examinators will be used regularly. The assessment of the essay is based on the learning outcomes for the course.

The requirement for admission to the course is confirmation of admission to a PhD programme or documentation that you are in the process of being admitted to one of the faculty's two PhD programmes (Engineering Science or Innovation for Sustainability).

Assessment is pass/ fail.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer and one other examinator. External examinators will be used regularly. The assessment of the essay is based on the learning outcomes for the course.

The requirement for admission to the course is confirmation of admission to a PhD programme or documentation that you are in the process of being admitted to one of the faculty's two PhD programmes (Engineering Science or Innovation for Sustainability).

Hanne Cecilie Geirbo