Course content

The course will provide basic insight into scientific methods in social science and give students experience with the research process through working in groups. The students will apply social scientific methods on a topic of their own interest that is relevant to child protection and child welfare work practice. The topic under research shall be presented with a research question and investigated through field work, curriculum and relevant literature. The results shall be presented in a report within academic style. This subject provides an opportunity for the students to learn about child welfare work in Norway and in other national contexts. The collection of data can take place in Norway or abroad. By carrying out empirical work, the students will develop their understanding on how different factors at the societal level can have an impact on children`s, adolescents and families living conditions. The practical empirical work will also provide increased knowledge on how economic, political, cultural, legal and structural conditions impacts child welfare work. Relevant subjects can for example be within preventive work, environmental work and emergency work towards vulnerable children and youngsters.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - The candidate has:

• knowledge of social science methods, and is able to evaluate some of their strengths and weaknesses
• knowledge of research ethics
• knowledge of the importance of theory for conducting scientific studies
• knowledge on how to lead a group, and of group processes

Skills - The candidate:

• has experience in collecting and analyzing data based on their development and formulation of a research question
• has knowledge that allows them to reflect on all processes related to the collection and analysis of research data
• can apply relevant theoretical knowledge in a scientific study
• knows how to search litterature on a given topic
• is able to answer a research question by building upon empirical data and applying literature

General competence - The candidate:

• is familiar with and can reflect on main ethical issues in research
• has basic knowledge of how to disseminate scientific knowledge, both orally and in writing
• has a basic understanding on how scientific knowledge of child welfare work is developed
• can promote and be responsible for constructive group processes

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, group work, supervision in groups, written assignment and oral presentation. The duration of the field period is 4-5 week.

Compulsory assignments

• Written group assignment

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

This course builds on the first three semesters of the Bachelor`s Degree Program in Child Welfare Work.

Required previous knowledge

Students must have passed 60 credits of courses in the 1st and 15 credits in the 2nd year of study in order to take the exam in this course.

The course has study rights requirements. This means that the course is reserved for students admitted to the program Bachelor in Child Protection and Child Welfare at NTNU.

Course materials

The reading list will be published in Blackboard when the course starts.

Credit reductions