EPN-V2

SFV4800 Master Thesis Preparation Workshop - Quantitative Methods Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Forberedelse til masteroppgaven - kvantitativ metode
Study programme
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Study Option International Social Welfare and Health Policy
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care, part-time
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences - Programme Option Child Care
Master in Programme Applied Social Sciences
Master Programme in Applied Social Sciences
Elective modules, 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
FALL 2025
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

None.

Recommended preliminary courses

For those who take this course as an elective, it is recommended that students have SSA4000 Social Work Theories from Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy, or similar course from somewhere else, which provides a basis for applying different theories and perspectives in the analysis of social issues.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

  • advanced knowledge about different quantitative designs and data and variable formatting.
  • advanced knowledge about the use of different regression models to analyse social science topics.
  • broad knowledge about different quantitative analysis techniques and how to interpret their results.
  • broad knowledge about the possibilities and limitations of various statistical procedures

Skills

The student is capable of

  • understanding quantitative research articles and their methodological strengths and weaknesses.
  • choosing appropriate analysis techniques given specific research questions and data.
  • working independently with practical data preparation, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative data.
  • using the statistical tool Stata for research purposes
  • presenting statistical results in assignments and articles

General competence

The student is capable of

  • applying skills in quantitative method in new areas to conduct job assignments and projects.
  • critically assessing results from different research designs and from different types of statistical analyses
  • Interpreting and communicating empirical results in an appropriate manner.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching takes place with in-person attendance on campus, and the course consists of lectures on theoretical and thematic subjects. Each lecture contains discussions that should serve as an exercise in applying theories to empirical examples.

An overview of the course's theoretical and thematic topics will be available before the course starts, and students are encouraged to use this actively in colloquiums and self-study to gain better control of a complex field.

Course requirements

The following coursework requirements must have been approved for the student to take the exam:

  • Submit an individual, written paper of 5 pages (+/- 10 percent). Font and font size: Calibri 12 pt. Line spacing: 1,5. The paper is based on a selected question from a list of questions.

The aim of the coursework requirement is to get training in academic writing with feedback from teachers. The writing training should provide better insight into the use of theory and the theory's relevance to practice.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline for the student to take the exam. If the coursework requirements have not been approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by a given deadline.

Assessment

The exam in the subject is an individual school exam of 4 hours.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

No aids are allowed.

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F.

Examiners

The exams 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

Randi Wærdahl and Wenche Bekken