MAPD4000 Philosophy of Science and Design Research Emneplan

Design has evolved into a discipline that aims to make a positive impact on various aspects of nature and society. Consequently, designers find themselves in increasingly cross-disciplinary and multimodal environments, where they need to discover, investigate, define problems, and support claims based on evidence gained through universal scientific and academic practices.

In this course, students will develop the ability to conduct scientific design research and gain an understanding of its relevance to practice.

Admission to the Master's programme.

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 knowledge of

• the philosophical underpinnings of scientific research
• various theories and methods in science and design research
• ethical implications of scientific and professional work

Skills

The student is able to

• plan and complete their own research projects
• identify, discuss and evaluate relevant research theories and methods
• integrate academic scientific methods and coherence in practice based and creative research

General competence

The student

• has a developed understanding of academic and practical design research and its relevance to practice
• -can contribute to collaboration for the sustainability goals

The course is organized as a series of three three-day sessions.

The course is given either in Scandinavian languages with occasional English contributions, or exclusively in English.

The most important teaching and learning methods for this course are lectures, seminars, group work, self-study, studio work and tutoring.

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

• Attendance of minimum 80%
• 2 milestone deliverables (oral presentation and/or written)

Individual or group assignment, consisting of:

• Individual written home examination, 2500 - 4000 words long, or in accordance with specifications set by a publication channel of the student's choice
• Students can choose to work in groups, but must submit 1 (one) written assignment per student
• Language: English, or after discussion with course leader, in Norwegian

The examination result can be appealed.

This course focuses on individuals' and groups' information-related activities at work as well as tools and strategies by organisations to manage their information resources.

The teaching language is in English when there are foreign exchange students present.

Grade scale A-F

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

• advanced knowledge of information needs as well as of use of information and knowledge in different contexts such as everyday life, working life, research and education, etc.
• good overview and specialized knowledge of the role of various channels for satisfying the information needs and their prominence for seeking and sharing information and knowledge
• advanced knowledge of the theoretical models for understanding seeking and sharing of information and knowledge
• advanced understanding of the relationship between human information behaviour and methods of information and knowledge management

Skills

The student is able to

• use empirical and theoretical models on information behaviour and information mediating institutions' role in information seeking processes to design research projects
• reflect upon how information needs and information use is affected and changed by political, demographic, cultural and technological changes, the emergence of new forms of learning and experience, etc.
• plan, develop and lead information and knowledge management in practice with reference to in-depth knowledge of information needs and information seeking behaviour

General competence

The student has the ability to

• analytically discuss and assess the flow of information at a workplace.
• participate in knowledge management projects at a workplace.