FLKM4410 Research Methodology Emneplan

Philosophy of science will serve as a tool for the work on the master’s thesis and provide a theoretical introduction to the knowledge base in the field. In addition to general philosophy of science, there is a particular focus in the course on providing an overview of important philosophy of science traditions and positions and on different theoretical approaches of particular relevance to development and international education.

In the course research methods are related to questions within the philosophy of science as well as to the practical craft of collecting data. Philosophy of science and research methodology are presented separately below, but are closely interrelated and will be seen in connection with each other in the teaching activities.

No prerequisite knowledge required.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• has insight into important topics in philosophy of science and research methodology
• has insight into the relevance of philosophy of science for development and international education studies
• has knowledge of ethical challenges and dilemmas in research on education and development

Skills

The student

• is capable of formulating philosophy of science questions of relevance to development and international education studies
• is capable of applying relevant methodological approaches
• is capable of conducting a critical analysis of selected philosophy of science and methodological questions of relevance to development and international education studies
• is capable of formulating and discussing a philosophy of science problem in the field
• is capable of critically assessing ethical issues in their own and others’ research practice

General competence

The student

• has sufficient knowledge to assess the relevance of theories and methods in the research field international education and development
• is capable of disseminating his/her own and other people's knowledge in an academically sound manner

The course consists of two parts:

Philosophy of science, which, among other things, covers:

• fundamental issues of scientific explanation and the relationship between the social and natural sciences, as well as hermeneutics, language theory and discourse analysis
• an introduction to the social roles of science and the political, cultural and ethical grounds for and functions of knowledge, with particular reference to science of education

Research methodology, which, among other things, covers:

• concepts in social science research methodology
• theoretical and empirical research carried out in studies of international education and development
• reliability and validity issues
• quantitative and qualitative methods with particular emphasis on fieldwork methodology, document analysis and interview/questionnaire methods
• reading, interpreting and using quantitative and qualitative data
• knowledge of research design and application of research methodology in work on the master’s thesis

The work and teaching methods used in the course are characterised by lectures and dialogue and discussions, to which the students bring their own different practical experience and academic backgrounds. See the programme description for further details.

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

• Submission of a written report of 900 to 1,300 words based on an interview, observation etc.
• Project description for the master’s thesis of 3,500 to 4,500 words
• 80 % attendance requirement

The ability to disseminate subject matter is very important both in working life and while studying. The knowledge and results gained during a project must be disseminated if they are to benefit other people. Dissemination often takes the form of reports, and work on a project is thus not complete until a report has been written. Writing is a process characterised by trial and error. It is therefore important to start writing at an early stage of the project, and make it an ongoing activity in the project. The purpose of the project description is to encourage students to get started on the master’s thesis, and it forms the basis for subsequent work on the master’s thesis.

The student is assigned an academic supervisor (or, if relevant, two supervisors) based on the project description for the master’s thesis. The supervisor (or principal supervisor and co-supervisor) is appointed by the person with academic responsibility for the master’s programme. A supervision agreement between student and supervisor will be signed in the beginning of the third semester.

The assessment consists of an individual six-hour written examination with invigilation.

Resit/rescheduled examThe resit/rescheduled exam is organised in the same way as the ordinary exam.

All aids on paper, including personal notes, are permitted.

Letter grades ranging from A to F are used, with A being the highest grade and E the poorest pass grade, and F being a fail grade.

The exam will be assessed by one internal and one external examiner.