course-details-portlet

SVMET3000 - Practice-oriented research methods in the social sciences

About

New from the academic year 2023/2024

Examination arrangement

Examination arrangement: Assignment
Grade: Letter grades

Evaluation Weighting Duration Grade deviation Examination aids
Assignment 100/100

Course content

The course provides in-depth knowledge and practical training of different social scientific techniques of primary and secondary data collection as well as quality criteria for their evaluation. This includes both qualitative (e.g., semi-structured interview, qualitative content analysis, document analysis) and quantitative techniques of data collection (e.g., survey, quantitative content analysis, social scientific experiments), and utilization of secondary data (e.g., register data). The students will also learn how to code, analyze, and visualize qualitative data (using an analysis software, e.g. NVivo) while the analysis and visualization of quantitative data will be taught in SOS3005. The students are required to develop and pretest an own research design which can be used to collect data empirically. In particular, the course will cover topics and examples relevant to the master programs in "Media, Communication and Information Technology" and "Organization, Digitalization, Administration and Work". This practical training is both a necessary precondition for the students’ further research activities during the master studies and an important qualification for the students’ later working life.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the student shall:

  • have in-depth insight into ethical issues related to empirical research
  • have in-depth insight into and practical experience with planning and carrying out the research process
  • have in-depth insight into and practical experience with different social scientific techniques of data collection (including their strengths and weaknesses)
  • be familiar with challenges linked to the use of different methods and techniques of data collection
  • have practical experience with developing a research design and collecting data as well as the analysis and visualization of qualitative data.

Skills - the student shall demonstrate the ability to:

  • make a conscious choice for suitable quantitative and qualitative methods to answer specific research questions
  • develop a social scientific research design
  • use different techniques of data collection
  • use software to analyse and visualize qualitative data
  • assess the quality of empirical studies
  • carry out an independent research project

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and seminars corresponding to 4 hours per week, according to the specified lecture schedule.

Compulsory assignments

  • Compulsory assignments (more detailed information is provided at the start of the semester)
  • Participation in teaching (lectures and seminars)

Further on evaluation

Form of assessment: individual term paper.

Required previous knowledge

SOS1002 or equivalent. The requirement must be fulfilled to be admitted to the course.

Course materials

To be decided at the start of the course.

More on the course

No

Facts

Version: 1
Credits:  7.5 SP
Study level: Second degree level

Coursework

Term no.: 1
Teaching semester:  AUTUMN 2023

Language of instruction: English, Norwegian

Location: Trondheim

Subject area(s)
  • Industrial Management and Work Science
  • Media and Communication Studies
  • Social Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Political Science
Contact information
Course coordinator:

Department with academic responsibility
Department of Sociology and Political Science

Timetable

List view
Calendar view

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment

Term Status code Evaluation Weighting Examination aids Date Time Examination system Room *
Autumn ORD Assignment 100/100

Release
2023-11-03

Submission
2023-12-04


09:00


09:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
Spring ORD Assignment 100/100

Release
2024-04-02

Submission
2024-04-30


09:00


15:00

INSPERA
Room Building Number of candidates
  • * The location (room) for a written examination is published 3 days before examination date. If more than one room is listed, you will find your room at Studentweb.
Examination

For more information regarding registration for examination and examination procedures, see "Innsida - Exams"

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