About this course

The course provides an introduction to the philosophy of science and various quantitative and qualitative research designs. The course aims to prepare the students for their independent research work with the project plan (FHV353) and the master's thesis (M30-FOL).

Emphasis is placed on giving the students an increased understanding of the philosophy of science, as well as an increased understanding of the connection between different research questions and the choice of research design. The course highlights different qualitative and quantitative research designs, data collection methods, and analytical tools. For example, the students be given a practical introduction to basic statistics, key statistical concepts, and relevant statistics programs, as well as qualitative data collection methods such as interviews, observation, and documents. The course will enable students to critically assess and reflect upon the researcher's role, and work in line with current research ethics and the quality criteria in research.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

  • Have knowledge of important traditions within the philosophy of science and approaches relevant to the field.
  • Have knowledge of the ethical issues related to research in the field.
  • Have knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection methods, and data analysis traditions.
  • Have knowledge of assessing the quality of qualitative and quantitative research.

Skills

  • Be able to reflect critically and independently on relationships between research questions, research design, choice of methodology and research ethics.
  • Be able to use important qualitative and quantitative methods and software for analysis.
  • Be able to reflect critically on the choice of research design, methodology and research results based on scientific arguments.

Competence

  • Be able to apply their knowledge and skills on research related issues
  • Be able to analyze and handle relevant ethical issues connected to practice and research
  • Be able to communicate issues connected to the field, and analyzes and conclusions based on the discipline's expression, both with experts and the public
  • Be able to contribute to innovation in research and evidence-based practice and participate in professional critical reflection.

  • Learning activities

    Lectures, lectures via video, group work, data-lab and self study

  • Teaching support

    Canvas and access to staff during office hours

  • Syllabus

    The syllabus will be available at the start of the course.

  • Prerequisites

    Bachelor's degree or equivalent

  • Assessment method

    This course has an combined assessment (final grade) consisting of three partial exams:

    • Home exam in philosophy of science (O1), which counts for 30% of the final grade - Grade scale: A-F
    • Home exam in qualitative methods (O2), which counts for 30% of the final grade - Grade scale: A-F
    • Written school exam in quantitative methods (S), lasting 2 hours. This counts for 40% of the final grade - Grade scale: A-F. Permitted aids for the school exam: B1 - calculator provided during the exam, no other aids.

    Important requirements: All three partial exams must be passed in order for you to receive a final grade (A-F) in the course. If one or more of the partial exams are not passed, that/those partial exam(s) may be retaken. This means that passed partial exams may be reused for up to 5 years. After 5 years, the entire course must be taken again.



    Written hand-ins 2 Karakterregel: Letter grades Written exam Karakterregel: Letter grades Hjelpemiddelkode: B1 Calculator handed out, no other aids Written hand-ins 1 Karakterregel: Letter grades

  • About use of AI

    K3 on exam submissions (O1 and O2) in the philosophy of science and qualitative methods

    K1 on the written exam (S) in quantitative methods

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Examiner scheme

    For all partial exams: An external examiner approves the exam questions and grading guidelines. An internal examiner evaluates the submissions. In addition, an external examiner participates in the assessment of a random sample of candidates.

  • Teaching hours

    The course is scheduled with 5 gatherings, approx.14 days full time.

  • Preferential right

    M-FOL and M-FOL-DEL

  • Admission requirements

    Minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway (generell studiekompetanse)