ME-638 Advanced Methods in social science research on digitalization
- ECTS Credits:
- 5
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Social Sciences
- Course Leader:
- Alexander Ruser
- Lecture Semester:
- Spring, Autumn
- Duration:
- 1 term
The course is connected to the following study programs
- PhD Programme in Social Sciences
Recommended prerequisites
Students need to fulfill the admission requirements for the PhD Programme in Social Sciences
Course contents
Understanding complex modern societies and in particular digital environments and communication require advanced methodological skills and the ability to design mixed and multi-method approaches.
The course will provide participants with an introduction to selected, advanced research methods such as Social Network Analysis, Netnography, Visual Discourse Analysis, Online Surveys, Participatory Action Research (e-PAR) and Critical Realist Case Studies. The course will outline specific problems of data selection, processing, and analysis. The course will combine methods and conceptual approaches from a variety of social science disciplines and thus prepares participants to conduct empirical work in inter- and transdisciplinary settings.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, the student will have
- a comprehensive overview of methodological concepts and analytical tools
- got an understanding of how to use and implement advanced methods in their own PhD projects
- applied selected methods and experiences specific challenges of selecting, processing and analyzing data
Teaching methods
Instruction will comprise:
- Workshop given by lecturers and guest lecturers
- Student presentations of their research papers
- Feedback of each student's paper
Evaluation
The PhD 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.
Offered as Single Standing Module
Yes
Admission Requirement if given as Single Standing Module
Admission to a PhD programme
Assessment methods and criteria
Brief summary report, reflecting on methodological design (opportunities) for own PhD project (2-3 pages), pass /fail
Other information
Contact person: Professor Alexander Ruser, Centre for Digital Transformation (CeDiT)