Learning outcome

After successfully completing the course, the candidate will have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence.

Knowledge

The candidate has:

• Basic knowledge of key concepts, and research theory in relation to principal research traditions that have relevance to the study programme, with particular emphasis on quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Knowledge of some current methodological approaches, so they will be able to collect and process knowledge of a subject area, consistent with the requirements of a scientific investigation. The candidate will write a Bachelor’s thesis that fulfils basic scientific requirements.

Skills

The candidate can:

• Give an account of the principal quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Apply knowledge and relevant results from research and development in their own Bachelor’s thesis

General competence

The candidate has:

• A critical understanding of the theoretical and methodological tools used in the study programme

Course Description

- Scientific theory
- Qualitative methods
- Quantitative methods
- Research design
- Project assignment

Students will plan a written project assignment that emphasises cultural, historical, social, pedagogical or physiological issues. This will provide them with an understanding of the relationships between culture, society and the individual. Study methods may include qualitative or quantitative approaches, such as literature studies, participative observation, interviews and practical experiments, etc.

Teaching and Learning Methods

Teaching will be given in the autumn and spring semesters.

The course consists of two parts: a research-theory part, in which the teaching and learning methods include lectures and group work, and a project part, which includes group work, guidance and seminars.

During the course, work will be carried out in project groups consisting of 3-5 participants. Based on the assignment, students will plan and present their project, first while it is in progress, and once again in an open seminar after it has been completed. Participation in both seminars is obligatory.

The Bachelor’s thesis must be submitted to the Faculty Office (3rd floor) for registration and copying; it must be delivered in 3 examples, one of which should be in loose-leaf form. The format for the front page may be found on: http://www-bo.hit.no/af/ under employees and templates/forms. The deadline for submission is 2 p. m. on the designated day.

Assessment Methods

The assessment is divided into two parts, but a grade will be given for the whole course. Research theory and methodology will be assessed through a graded 5-hour individual written examination, and counts for 1/3 of the final mark. The Bachelor’s thesis will be assessed and counts for 2/3 of the final mark. Participation in the two seminars with project presentation is obligatory.

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean