EPN-V2

SIW4500 Literature Review and Research Training Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Literature Review and Research Training
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 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
2020/2021
Curriculum
FALL 2020
Schedule
Programme description
Course history

Introduction

The student will be participating in a project on a relevant research topic as an individual research assistant at the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research (SVA). We expect a paper, an article, a policy-brief or other relevant scientific output from the participation. Call for research assistant must be given by Qualified supervisors at the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research (SVA). The supervisor decides who will be the research assistants, based on the student's application and previous qualifications. A call for assistants will normally be published at the OsloMet homepage before July 31st. Students can motivate potential supervisors to call for research assistants of this kind.

Required preliminary courses

The student must have passed the first year of master's courses that are required for their specific degree.

Learning outcomes

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

  • insight into planning and running a research project
  • a specialized knowledge in the research methods and theories being used in the project.
  • an insight into how social research can come into practical use or have an impact

Skills

The student can

  • make an independent and critical search for literature and relevant studies for a research project
  • handle empirical data in an ethical and critical manner, and adhere to the norms of ethical conduct in research
  • critically reflect on the researchers role in knowledge production
  • conduct an independent small-scale research or development project under supervision

General Competence

The student has

  • developed general competence for independent research
  • practiced innovative thinking and competence in transferring knowledge and skills to new areas

Content

The main purpose of this module is for the student to gain research experience through pedagogical interaction with a professional researcher or faculty. As an individual research assistant, the student will perform a defined and limited research task under supervision. Equally, a group of students can perform a defined and limited research task in collaboration and deliver a joint research outcome, while submitting individual reports (see work requirements below).

Through empirical studies and theoretical reflection, the students gain insight and skills, enabling them to undertake research tasks of a scientific standard.

Teaching and learning methods

The department announces positions as student research assistant or in student project groups. Students that apply within the due date and meet the requirements will compete for the positions based on application. The course coordinator and student will sign a work contract defining their mutual expectations about input and output. The work should amount to the equivalent of 6 weeks of full time studies. An academic staff member commits to supervise the student before and after this period, as we expect a paper, an article, a policy-brief or other relevant scientific output from the participation

Course requirements

The student will choose about 500 pages that are thematically, methodologically and scientifically relevant for the scientific production. The supervising academic staff member will approve the list two weeks prior to work report deadline, and sends the approved list to the course coordinator for registration.

A relevant scientific outcome may be:

  • a paper produced as a working paper for the project
  • a paper, poster, film or exhibit for presentation in a scientific conference
  • an independent or co-authored publication from the project
  • a presentation of results for stakeholders
  • an integrated part of a larger publication from the project. In this case, the student and the supervisor must indicate which part of the publication the student is responsible for.
  • a policy-brief, summarizing the main findings as well as suggesting the implications and recommendations of these findings
  • or other output approved by the course coordinator and agreed upon in the contract

In addition to the scientific output from the project participation, each student will deliver an individual report of between 800-1200 words from the research training. This report should contain a critical reflection of the learning process, uses of method or implication of the produced knowledge. The deadline for such reports are set towards the end of the term

Candidates who have not fulfilled the work agreed to in the initial contract, will have failed the course.

Assessment

The individual report and scientific production will receive a "pass" or "fail" grade, assessed by the course coordinator and the supervisor.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All referenced material allowed.

Grading scale

Pass - Fail

Examiners

The student's work will be evaluated by the course coordinator and training supervisor.

Course contact person

Simon Innvær