Teaching language

Norwegian

Course contents

This course will give students a solid foundation for developing a research project and writing the final master’s thesis. Central questions are: (i) What is scientific methodology, and what are the characteristics of the methodological approaches of the humanities and social sciences? (ii) What are the research- ethical considerations one has to take into account when planning and carrying out the work with the master’s thesis? (iii) What is a research design, and how does one develop a project draft?

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of the course, students shall

Knowledge

  • Have insight into scientific methodology within the fields of humanities and social science, and have advanced knowledge about methodological approaches related to their own research project

  • Have knowledge about central research-ethical problems and have an overview of current rules and regulations related to research ethics

Skills

  • Be able to develop a research design and write a project description

  • Be able to make research-ethical evaluations related to their own work

General competences

  • Be able to plan and implement a research project

Examination requirements

In order to be eligible for the examination, students must have participated at the compulsory gathering (3-4 days) during the semester. Atentative suggestion for topic and thesis question must be submitted within a specified deadline after the gathering.

A completed preliminary test.

Further information will be posted in Canvas.

Teaching methods

One compulsory physical gathering with lectures and seminars will take place early in the semester. The student will read a syllabus of about 400 pages, comprising both common core readings and specific literature related to the particular subject area that the student is working within, chosen in collaboration with the supervisor. Based on the preliminary methodology studies, the student shall, in consultation with an appointed supervisor, develop a project draft for the final master’s thesis. The draft shall be in the scope of about five (5) pages and account for the thesis question, sources, methodological and theoretical approaches, as well as previous research in the field. Provided the project raises research- ethical questions, these must also be discussed. The workload is estimated at 270 hours.

Evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Assessment methods and criteria

Project draft of about 5 pages. Pass/Fail. Students will also receive a written response.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) July 1, 2024 1:36:46 AM