ACIT4100 Understanding and Communicating Research Emneplan

This course offers an introduction to the practice of writing and reading academic literature. Communicating properly, both in written and oral form, is a cornerstone of research. This course therefore also contains an element of rhetoric and writing techniques. The course will cover common concepts from research methods, such as qualitative and quantitative methods. A brief introduction of the philosophy of science helps us put the vast variations of research in context. Finally, the course introduces research and professional ethics.

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student:

• has thorough knowledge of writing in research processes
• has advanced knowledge of forums and channels in which research results are published
• has an introductory knowledge of the philosophy of science related to falsificationism, paradigms and research programs
• has thorough knowledge of the ethical basis for professional codes of conduct
• has advanced knowledge of writing styles related to research
• has thorough knowledge of structural templates for essay texts
• has thorough knowledge of the Toulmin model and its applications

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can find research literature in literature databases
• can analyse and critically evaluate various information sources
• can write summaries using his/her own words
• can use electronic reference tools
• can identify the research method used in a scientific text
• can explain the application of a research method in a research project
• can organize research literature in such a way as to identify patterns and commonalities
• can communicate a research-related topic using digital media
• can write texts using classic style

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can reflect and discuss plagiarism
• has a thorough knowledge of responsibility for author and co-authorship in accordance with the Vancouver Convention

All modules will be taught as lectures / seminars with assignments for students. Throughout the course, students will work on an individual essay from their own specialization topic. The essay will contain:

• a literature survey
• a discussion on the methods applied by the researchers in the material reviewed in their survey
• a discussion on the ethical challenges related their topic both with regard to the research applied and relative to uses in society

The essay will give the opportunity for the student to tie together all modules in this course into a cohesive document.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

Two mandatory assignments:

• One recorded presentation of between 5 and 10 minutes.
• A spreadsheet containing results of a research survey including columns for relevant meta-information with at least 7 relevant research papers

Written individual essay of between 5500 and 6500 words.

The exam can be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for registering for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

Approved by the Doctoral Committee 28.03.2019. Minor changes approved 27.04.2020 and 27.01.2021.

This PhD-course is open for candidates at the PhD Programme in Educational Sciences for Teacher Education, PhD candidates from other relevant programmes, and academic employees.

Language: English (and Norwegian, dependent on the language of participants).

The course introduces arts-based research (ABR) and processes related to ABR that are relevant in traditional qualitative research as well. Accepting knowledge as also being tacit, and the arts as important fields of understanding, today’s educational research often include aesthetical and arts-based processes. ABR is an umbrella term covering different research methodologies that draw their inspiration, concepts, processes or representational forms from the arts. To satisfy the expected transparency in research,  processes involving arts-based media also need to be discussed and made explicit, whether one considers oneself to be an artist or not.

In this introductory course, methodologies such as aesthetically based research, a/r/tography, practice-led research and artistic research will be presented and discussed, as will onto-epistemological issues related to ABR in general and the different methodologies. Furthermore, the students will participate in workshops investigating core elements of ABR, such as embodiment, empathy and material, formal and relational sensitivity. There will also be workshops exploring writing processes in ABR, related to narrative, poetical, fictional and essayistic genres. Finally, seminars presenting and discussing the participants’ projects will amount to parts of the course.

On completion of the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The candidate:

• is in the forefront of knowledge concerning core elements of ABR and master the theory behind such elements in research
• has in-dept knowledge of ontological, epistemological and ethical issues related to ABR
• can evaluate the expediency and application of different methodological and analytical approaches within the umbrella term ABR
• has in-dept knowledge of different alternative writing genres, relevant in ABR and can contribute to the development of new forms of documentation in the field

Skills

The candidate:

• can handle complex ABR issues, challenge established ABR practices and critically analyse relationships between theories of knowledge and ABR
• can use relevant techniques to enhance and elicit  their own embodiment, empathy and material/formal/relational sensitivity in research and artistic development
• can formulate problems, plan, carry out and critically discuss relevant ABR processes in their own research
• can use writing processes of a high international standard as reflection tools throughout their research phases

General competence

The candidate:

• can identify and discuss relationships and conflicts between other scientific theories and theories in ABR, related to his/her field of research with scholarly integrity
• can give well-structured presentations and participate in debates in international forums assessing the need for practice innovation in ABR
• can communicate research and development work through recognized Norwegian and international channels, relevant for ABR
• can assess the need for, and manage, interdisciplinary assignments and project involving ABRs

The first part of the course is a seminar given over four subsequent or two+two days. The working methods include lectures, discussions, practical workshops, as well as student presentations. Candidates are expected to actively participate in all the teaching activities, including presenting their project.

The second part of the course is related to the written text/essay and includes supervision after the seminar.

Preparations for the course

Students are encouraged to enter the learning platform Canvas and attain knowledge of parts of the syllabus prior to the course to be able to participate actively in discussions.

Coursework requirement are:

1. 80 % attendance on the course. Absence beyond 20 % can be accepted in certain cases, after application and additional work.

2. Accepted oral presentation: During the seminar, the candidate prepares a 10-15 minutes’ oral presentation of their project/topic relevant to ABR. The presentation can be in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or (preferable:) English. Following the presentation there will be a sequence in which the candidate responds to questions and receive comments from the course leader and others.