SIW4500 Literature Review and Research Training Course description

This course has two options. One is for students to write a literature review for their master thesis. The other option is to be a research assistant getting research training. Both are described below.

Literature Review

The aim is to let students make a literature review for their master thesis. The literature review can be a part of the introduction of the thesis or a thesis as a literature review. During the seminars students learn to reflect on searching for literature, to make a critical evaluation, interpretation and summary of the research that provides a "State of the art" about the topic (research question) of the student’s own master thesis. This helps the student to write an introduction to the master thesis that answers "What do we know about this topic?" and "What does my study add to existing knowledge?". The introduction chapter will also help the student to lay the ground for how to discuss the results in relation to previous research. If the student writes a thesis as a literature review, this project also gives the student additional knowledge to choose what kind of literature review the student wants to make.

Lectures are in English, but students coming from a Norwegian spoken program can speak and write Norwegian.

Research Training

The main purpose of this option is for the student to gain research experience through pedagogical interaction with a professional researcher or faculty. As a research assistant, the student will perform a defined and limited research task under supervision. Through empirical studies and theoretical reflection, the student gain insight and skills, enabling the student to undertake research tasks of a scientific standard.

The student will be participating in a project on a relevant research topic as a research assistant at the Faculty of Social Sciences or the Centre for Welfare and Labour Research (SVA).

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. Students can motivate potential supervisors to call for research assistants of this kind.

If others than the assistant is going to use the work the assistant has produced through the course, the assistant must be credited for the work. The use of the work by others than the assistant, however, cannot be closely related to the analytical framework of the assistant’s thesis unless it is published after the assistant has submitted the thesis.

None.

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

• insight into planning and running a research project
• a specialised 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 evaluation of relevant studies for a research project
• handle 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

The teaching takes place with in-person attendance on campus. The students participating in the Literature Reviw option, will participate in seminars and work individually, in groups and plenary sessions. Students participating as a reseach assistant, will gain research experience through pedagogical interaction with a professional researcher.

No coursework requirements or compulsory activities.

The exam in the course is an individual portfolio containing three works:

1) One written report with a scope of 4-9 pages, tables and references are not included. Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

2) A scientific outcome. A relevant scientific outcome for the project may be:

• an introductory chapter for a thesis
• a paper produced as a working paper
• a paper, poster, film or exhibit for presentation in a scientific conference
• an independent or co-authored publication
• 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
• other output approved by the course coordinator and the supervisor

3) A reading list of around 500 pages. The student will choose about 500 pages for a reading list that are thematically, methodologically and scientifically relevant for the scientific outcome.

There will be given an overall grade for the portfolio. All three parts of the portfolio must be passed in order to pass. In the event of a fail grade, all parts of the portfolio must be resubmitted. Students awarded a fail grade are given one opportunity to submit an improved version of the portfolio for assessment.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Pass / fail.

All exam papers are assessed by two examiners.

Simon Innvær