Course Objectives

Students will learn to make informed choices of research methods related to organizing and conducting elementary investigations, and in connection with projects. This includes the collecting and sorting of information, and conducting a relevant analysis of the collected data. Students will develop a good understanding of the limitations and possibilities inherent in the research methods chosen corresponding to what knowledge they can attain in relation to people in society.

Course Description

The course is divided into three thematic sections:
Methodological reflections
- What characterizes social scientific methodology?
- How to formulate good and relevant questions?
- The importance of theory in an investigation
- The relationship between theory and empiricism
- Choice of investigation methodology
- Practical implementation of an investigation

Qualitative methods
- How to collect data using observations?
- How to collect data through interviews?
- Procedures for the use of qualitative data?

Quantitative Methods
- What is quantitative data?
- How to collect quantitative data?
- How to conduct simple analysis of quantitative data?
- How to conduct more complex analysis of quantitative data?

Learning Methods

3-4 hours of lectures per week in the spring semester.

Assessment Methods

Four hour written examination. During the course, students will also complete 1-2 mandatory assignments. These must receive passing marks before students will be allowed to sit the written examination. The purpose of the assignments, amongst other things, is to provide students with training in using research methods.

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