Course

AOS340 Qualitative Methods

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Bernt Aarset

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:125 work hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel, .

About this course

The course assumes that the student has decided on the topic of the master's thesis. The course has a user perspective for students who are going to start the master's thesis, and this topic will be central to the teaching. The course provides the students with an introduction to qualitative methods. The course emphasizes desig of appropriate qualitative methods, such as choice of methodology, analysis of data, and the possibility of generalization based on qualitative data. The main technique to collect data will be depth interviews, but participating observation, document analysis, conversation analysis, and others will be presented. The course will provide increased understanding of research and knowledge development. Design and choice of method will be based on research question, theoretical perspectives, analysis, and the direction of the project.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student

  • has advanced knowledge of specific features of qualitative research design
  • has in-depth knowledge of the use of qualitative methods in collecting empirical material
  • can analyze and communicate qualitative data

Skills

The student

  • can analyze and critically approach problems that can be answered using qualitative methods
  • can analyze collected data using qualitative methods
  • can choose relevant research methods in light of the problem, theoretical perspective, analysis process and the direction of the project
  • can conduct interviews adapted to a qualitative research design

General competence

The student

  • can analyze problems where qualitative methods are relevant, and select and use appropriate theoretical and practical knowledge in this analysis
  • can apply their knowledge and skills to select and use appropriate theoretical and practical knowledge in the qualitative analysis
  • can communicate the results of a qualitative study
  • can explain the connections between research and knowledge development
  • Learning activities

    The teaching will be carried out as a combination of recorded lectures on video and work with a group project.

    Guidance will be given in connection with the term paper and the group project.

    It will be possible to complete the course for exchange students.

  • Teaching support
    Supervision as needed.
  • Prerequisites
    AOS240 Research in Social Sciences or equivalent.
  • Assessment method

    Written exam in the exam period counts for 100% of the grade.

    It is a prerequisite that mandatory activities are approved in order to receive a final grade.



  • Examiner scheme
    External sensor reviews the group assignment and school exam.
  • Mandatory activity

    One mandatory group assignment (approved/ not approved).

    Approved submission is a requirement to participate in the exam.

    Approved mandatory activity from previous years is valid when retaking the course.

  • Teaching hours
    One 2-hour seminar/lecture each week.
  • Admission requirements
    The course is intended for master students at NMBU and the course is addressed to those who will write their master thesis during the subsequent semester.