ST-423 Research Design and Advanced Methods for the Social Sciences
- ECTS Credits:
- 10
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Course Leader:
- Dag Ingvar Jacobsen
- Lecture Semester:
- Autumn
- Duration:
- 1 term
Recommended prerequisites
10 ECTS credit methods in the field of social sciences, for example ME-400
Course contents
The subject is linked to the design of research projects that will form the basis for the candidates' master's theses, and will therefore be closely coordinated with the subject ME-502, which runs in the same semester. The first part of the course will look at which key elements are included in a research project. Particular emphasis will be placed on the design of the problem, justification of the problem, grounding of the problem in theory and other empirical studies, as well as the type of data base the research is to be based on (primary data, secondary data, and literature studies). The second part of the course will offer the students a choice of specialization in either qualitative or quantitative research design, method and analysis.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students must:
• be able to design, justify and concretize a problem which is interesting and researchable
• be able to choose and justify a research method due to the problem
• be able to justify, carry out and present analysis of empirical material
• have in-depth knowledge of how the master's thesis is structured, arranged and written, including knowledge of formal requirements set for research presentation
Examination requirements
Submission of individual assignments/compulsory work requirements.
Teaching methods
The course is set up as two sessions at the beginning of the semester. It will first provide an introduction to research and master's thesis, and will consist of a lecture and seminar. The second collection will consist of presentation and discussion of the issue. The last part of the course will consist of lectures and a seminar. Estimated scope of work is 270 hours.
Evaluation
The course responsible, 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.
Assessment methods and criteria
A 3-day individual home exam. The exam can be individually written or as a group of two students when granted application as a group. If group submission, the exam will be collectively assessed. Graded A-F.
Other information
ST-423 version 2 is a 10 credit course of one semester (autumn), and will be coordinated with the course ME-502. Both courses focus on working with the master's thesis. The exam requirement in ME-502 will be an oral presentation of the sketched project which is finally submitted as a home exam in ST-423.