ME-425 Research Methods
- ECTS Credits:
- 7.5
- Responsible department:
- School of Business and Law
- Course Leader:
- Arne Isaksen
- Lecture Semester:
- Spring
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Master's Programme in Shift Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Master's Programme in Industrial Economics and Technology Management
- Master's Programme in Innovation and Knowledge Development
Course contents
The objectives of the course is to prepare students for the planning, implementation and reporting of their own research, provide an introduction to qualitative and quantitative research methods and training in scientific argumentation.
Qualitative methods: Introduction to case studies, participant observation, interviews, and focus groups.
Quantitative methods: Introduction for collecting and analysing data eg survey, statistics analysis and regression analysis.
The various methods' potential and limitations will be discussed. The lectures will also provide an introduction to an academic text should be structured and how a scientific argument.
Learning outcomes
-
Know how to plan and conduct an theoretically informed empirical study
-
Know the qualitative and quantitative research methods and their possibilities and limitations for generalisation and how different methods and techniques can be used to generate different types of data, and learn about their ethical dilemmas
-
Have sufficient knowledge to be able to plan and conduct an empirical study, including methods where the candidate will develop a solution to a problem in a business or other organization. It includes acquiring knowledge to be able to choose a suitable method in relation to the theme of a scientific investigation and problem solving eg. a master and to provide a critical evaluation of research methods in theory and practice
Teaching methods
Teaching is organised as a combination of lectures, discussions and reflection notes. The lectures will present theoretical discussions about methods and data collection techniques. Examples of both qualitative and quantitative methods are given.
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
Individual submission of term paper. Graded assessment.
Reduction of Credits
This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:
| Course | Reduction of Credits |
|---|---|
| ME-512 – Method and Scientific Writing | 7.5 |