EDS415 Research methodology in PhD projects: Research design and methodological choices with a focus on qualitative research

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Esben Leifsen

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:25

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:125 hours

Teaching and exam period:This course is taught in the autumn parallel in two periods: 9 - 13 October, og 13 - 17 November. This course has evaluation in the autumn parallel.

About this course

The main objective of the course is to provide course participants with a basic understanding of some of the key elements of the methodological part of research design in a PhD project. Participants will acquire a better informed basis for choosing and combining different methods used in social science and interdisciplinary research. The course consists of two parts: One on research design and the implications of methodological choices in projects based either on single or multiple/mixed methods (such as a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods). In the other, participants are introduced to the basic characteristics of qualitative research and to the kinds of knowledge production that qualitative methods can provide. A main objective is to challenge the participants to reflect on the possibilities and limitations involved in different methodological choices, to provide a basis for an informed discussion of the methodological challenges implied in combining research methods, and to use this insight to inform the work with the research design of their own PhD projects.

Learning outcome

Participants will:

  • become familiar with key elements of the methodological part of research design in a PhD project.
  • acquire an informed basis for choosing and combining different methods used in social science and interdisciplinary research.
  • Become familiar with the implications of methodological choices in projects based on single and mixed methods.
  • acquire a basic understanding of main characteristics of qualitative research.
  • Participation in classes is essential in this course. It adopts a participatory approach in that the lecturers and students work inter actively. The course consists of lectures by teachers, discussions and presentations by course participants. Students are also required to read and actively use the literature in the reading list, and must write two short papers (a note on method use and a reflection note) in relation to the course.
  • Discussions and feedback between students, course responsible, and participating staff.
  • Participants must hold a Master´s degree or equivalent. They must also have been admitted to a PhD programme, and have formulated a research proposal which can be further developed.
  • Continuous evaluation. Two written assignments; a preliminary note on planned method use in the participants' PhD projects, and a final reflection note based on insight from the course on methodological choices regarding the design of the PhD projects. Grading: pass / fail. English only.
  • Evaluation setup to be approved by external examiner.
  • Participation in lectures is mandatory.
  • The course is organised by Department of International Environment and Development Studies/Noragric. The course requires individual work and an asssignment before course start.
  • 30 hours of lectures, seminars and guidance.
  • 1. PHD-IEDS

    2 PHD-SDP

    3 PHD-NMBU

  • No
  • Passed / Not Passed
  • The participants must have initiated their PhD studies (be admitted to a PhD programme) and have formulated a research proposal which can be further developed during the course.