ME-421 Theory of Science

The course is connected to the following study programs

• Master's Programme in Advanced Practice Nursing

Teaching language

Norwegian

Course contents

The course focusses on various fundamental scientific-theoretical topics. Further, topics relating to the relationship among scientific theory, methods and humanity, particularly in relation to specialised nursing, are also covered.

Central topics

• The concept of knowledge

• Science and scientific knowledge

• Various forms of knowledge

  • Objective and subjective knowledge

  • Experience-based knowledge

  • Types of knowledge and humanity

• Humanity and specialised nursing

• Various scientific-theoretical approaches

• Positivism

• Critical rationalism

• Hermeneutics and phenomenology

• Critical theory

• Modernism and post-modernism

• Relationship between theory and empirical evidence

• Relationship between scientific theory, humanity and methodology

More detailed information can be found in the course booklet that will be made available to students via the Canvas learning management system.

Learning outcomes

Students will:

Knowledge

• have an in-depth knowledge about the scientific-theoretical foundation of knowledge development

• have an in-depth knowledge about the various scientific-theoretical approaches of positivism, critical rationalism, hermeneutics, phenomenology, critical theory, modernism and post-modernism

• have advanced knowledge about views on human nature related to various ideological, religious and scientific-theoretical approaches

Skills

• be able to analyse and problematise the relationship between theory and empirical evidence

• be able to analyse professional problems related to the scientific-theoretical differences that form the basis of qualitative and quantitative methods

• be able to apply different scientific-theoretical directions within one's own area of interest

General competence

•  

  • be able to apply different scientific-theoretical directions when working with academic problems

• be able to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between scientific theory, views on human nature, and methods and be able to communicate academic issues connected to choices in these areas

Examination requirements

Four individual assignments must be handed in before the deadline. Approved/not approved. See the course booklet for further details.

Evaluation

The study programme manager, in consultation with the student representative, decides the method of evaluation and whether the courses will have a midterm- or end of term evaluation, see also the Quality System, section 4.1. Information about evaluation method for the course will be posted on Canvas.

Assessment methods and criteria

One of the four portfolio assignments is drawn out and the student continues to work with this assignment in an individual take home examamination over two days. The assignment is graded as pass/fail.