Applied Social Science Research Methods (MEN185)

Content

The course consists of three main themes:

1. Qualitative methods: Students will learn about the methodological choices, practical tools, and theoretical concerns associated with qualitative approaches to data collection and analysis. Examples of methods that may be discussed and applied are interviews, text analysis, content analysis, discourse analysis, participatory action research, as well as comparative, interpretative, and deliberative policy analysis. The precise content of the course may be adjusted from year to year.

2. Quantitative methods: Students will be introduced to various ways of collecting primary and secondary data, applying standard data handling and analysis systems; analysing and reporting the findings; interpreting the results, and critically evaluating the quality of such work. Examples of methods that may be covered in the course are survey design and questionnaires, descriptive analysis, factor analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The precise content of the course may be adjusted from year to year.

3. Research design: Finally, students will learn how to approach a pertinent knowledge scientifically. This includes the development, formulation, and clarification of the problem and question to be addressed: what aspects to investigate; uses of theories and concepts; selecting the relevant data and methodology, etc. We will also discuss research and publishing ethics, and different approaches to case-study designs ("most-similar", "small-N", "medium-N" etc.) in preparation for the master’s thesis.

The course is organised in a number of modules, each of which consists of a two-hour lecture and a full-day workshop (e.g. six modules with two modules per theme). Lectures are taught in common for all students while separate workshops are held for each study programme. During the workshops students work in groups with applied research methods. The written assignments for the portfolio are based on this work and participation in workshops is therefore required in order to complete the course. Workshops will be facilitated by supervisors from the relevant study programme, providing a structured process and advice for the groups.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Upon successful completion of the course, students should:

1. Know and understand the principles of doing research in social sciences.
2. Understand the assessments behind selection of research design and methods of data collection and analysis.
3. Know about and be able to discern various research traditions and schools.
4. Have advanced knowledge about the strengths and weaknesses of various methods.

Skills

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Participate in the methodology discourse in empirical social sciences.
2. Evaluate social science research.

3. Design and conduct research, i.e., be able to choose and implement an appropriate research design, including

   1. Develop a problem statement and research questions
   2. Plan and justify an empirical research strategy to explore a problem
   3. Elaborate an analytical/theoretical framework
   4. Collect, process, and analyse empirical data using both qualitative and quantitative methods
4. Critically assess and evaluate the uses of empirical data in their own and other’s studies.

General competence

Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

1. Independently assess their own and others' empirical research using the methods covered in the course.
2. Critically assess the uses of social science research and data in private and public sectors, outside of academia.
3. Balance scientific principles and professional ideals with practical limitations and conditions in practical situations.

Required prerequisite knowledge

Exam

Course teacher(s)

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Study Adviser:

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Method of work

Open for

Course assessment

Literature