ME-107 Research Methods
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Course Leader:
- Kjell Overvåg
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Teaching language:
- English
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
- Bachelor's Programme in Planning and Communication
- Bachelor's Programme in Global Development Studies
Teaching language
EnglishCourse contents
The aim of the course is to give students a basic introduction to quantitative and qualitative approaches in social science research methods. The course provides students with an overview of the different phases of research and different methods, as well as insight into methodological strategies for the analysis of data, documents and texts. Focus will be placed on several methodologies, research design and planning, research ethics and how to do fieldwork in various cultural contexts and settings. The course will provide students with the tools needed to conduct fieldwork and write a bachelor thesis.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:
-
provide an overview of research methods used in social sciences
-
apply social science methods in exercises of data collection and analysis
-
provide an overview of different analytical approaches
-
identify and discuss guidelines and debates of research ethics and the criteria for conducting solid research
-
write a research project proposal where methodology and methods are described in detail
-
plan for fieldwork and explain how data, theory and concepts are used as a basis for writing up research
-
take responsibility for and reflect on their role as a student researcher
Examination requirements
Participation in group work and approved group work hand-in. Further information can be found in Canvas at the start of the semester.
Teaching methods
Lectures, seminars and group work.
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.
Offered as Single Standing Module
Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.Assessment methods and criteria
1-day individual take-home examination. Graded assessment A-F.
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-109 – Statistics, Methods and Applied Data Analysis | 5 |
| ME-110 – Practical Social Research | 5 |
| ME-100 – Research Methods in Social Science | 5 |