SIW4200 Research Methods and Design Course description

The course comprises qualitative, quantitative and comparative methods. Particular attention will be given to methodological reflection, and the links between research questions and research design.

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A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• thorough knowledge of the process of research and the interrelation of a wide number of research methods
• advanced knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research designs: their appropriate use as well as strengths and limitations
• advanced conceptual tools to be applied in the discussion of explaining and exploring social phenomena, measurement, validity, and generalizability

Skills

The student can

• relate research processes to scientific theory and ethical principles
• apply research methods in a reflective manner and appropriately choose methods that are relevant for different kinds of research questions
• use relevant methods for producing, analysing and interpreting qualitative empirical data (e.g. interviews and observation/case study)
• use standard univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis techniques, inferential statistics and SPSS
• evaluate research reports in terms of methodological quality and appropriateness

The course consists of ten three-hour lectures. Students actively participate in discussions with presentation of different topics, and group discussions. One lecture in quantitative methods will take place in the computer lab.

Students must submit two coursework requirements, each of five (+/- 10%) pages, on course related topics. The topic must reflect main areas of the course curriculum and lectures, and approved by the course lecturer. The coursework requirements should preferably be written in groups of 2-3 students. Students whose papers are not approved after the first submission will be given the chance to resubmit once. Papers that are not approved after two submissions will disqualify students from sitting the final examination.

The assessment consists of a seven-day written home examination.

Students who have failed a regular examination are entitled to sit a new examination.

Students are awarded grades on a descending scale from A to E for pass and F for fail.

Exams are assessed by an internal and an external examiner. External examiners assess a random sample consisting of approx. 20 per cent of the exams. The grades given for this sample provide a basis for the internal examiner's assessment. The external examiner will also assess papers where there is doubt about giving a grade of pass.