EPN-V2

SFF4110 Knowledge production in social sciences - quantitative methods Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Kunnskapsproduksjon i sosialfag - kvantitativ metode
Study programme
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Family Therapy, part time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Social Work
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
SPRING 2026
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

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

Required preliminary courses

Parts 1 and 2: Grade scale A-F.

Learning outcomes

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 quantitative designs and which types of knowledge they can contribute
  • advanced knowledge of different methods used to generate/obtain empirical material, such as surveys and register data
  • in-depth knowledge of quality assessment in the quantitative tradition
  • insight into the possibility of generalising the results of quantitative studies
  • advanced knowledge of the dissemination of results
  • in-depth knowledge of regression-based analysis/statistical analysis

Skills

The student can

engage in methodological reflection on the relationship between research questions and designdevelop a research design for their master's thesis that is appropriate to their research questionapply statistical analysis techniques and interpret the results they producedevelop statistical analysis models based on theory and empirical dataengage in methodological reflection on the relationship between research design and knowledge claimsacquire in-depth knowledge of the methodological approach chosen for their master’s degree projectengage in methodological and critical reflection on other research literatureevaluate research ethics issues in connection with their master's degree projectevaluate which questions can be empirically studied

General competence

The student

  • is familiar with and able to reflect on different consequences of conducting research
  • can apply ethical discretion in relation to their own role as researchers and how their participation in research can intervene in people's lives
  • is familiar with and are able to comply with ethical guidelines such as correct and complete source information, informant anonymisation, confidentiality and researcher responsibility

Teaching and learning methods

Parts 1 and 2: 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.

Course requirements

  • 5 credits overlap with the course ORTO2300 Theory of Science and Research Methods in Prosthetics and Orthotics.

Assessment

The exam in the course is two-part: 1) individual supervised exam and 2) individual semester assignment

1) Supervised exam of 2 hours, in the form of a multiple-choice school examination. Counts 30 percent of the final grade.

2) Semester assignment with a scope of 10 pages (+/- 10 per cent). Font and font size: Calibri 12-point font. Line spacing: 1.5. Tables and figures are in addition. Course paper counts 70 percent of final grade.

A students who receive a fail grade of the semester assignment are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the semester assignment for assessment.

Both exams must be passed for the overall assessment to be passed.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

School examination: No aids are allowed.

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

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F.

Examiners

The exam papers are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

At least 25% of the exam papers will be assessed by two examiners. The grades awarded for the papers assessed by two examiners form the basis for determining the level for all the exam papers.

Course contact person

Åsmund Hermansen