course-details-portlet

BMPA5055

Research Methods for the Social Sciences

Credits 7.5
Level Second degree level
Course start Spring
Duration 2 semesters
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Assignment

About

About the course

Course content

The students must acquire basic insight into the scientific method and academic writing, so that they with a critical analytical attitude can assemble and make use of knowledge from the different core subjects in an analysis of social economic themes and management challenges in the public sector.

Throughout the course they will get an introduction to both qualitative and quantitative methods

- with the purpose of designing an independent study and gain understanding of how they can apply methodological tools that are used in social science disciplines.

The course forms the basis for the method being used in the master thesis.

  • Qualitative methods
  • Quantitative methods
  • Measuring problems and exploration design
  • Gathering of data
  • Analysis and interpretation of data
  • Work with the assignment in methods

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student:

  • The student has knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative social science methods
  • Must be able to choose design and method that suits the research question
  • Must have knowledge about both qualitative and quantitative data processing
  • Must have basic understanding of methods and knowledge about development of methods

Skills

The student:

  • Must be able to design a clear and fruitful research questions
  • Must be able to connect research question, theory and relevant empirics
  • Will be used to apply the statistical tool SPSS
  • Will be able to systematically present own empirical data
  • Will be able to perform a critical and solid analysis

General knowledge

The student:

  • Must be able to apply knowledge of methods and skills both in self-learning and in exercising of skills
  • Must be able to present phenomena and facts from several professional point of views and perspectives

Learning methods and activities

The students will through lectures, group work, and review of cases gain a good foundation for acquirement of knowledge. It is presupposed that the students through self-study acquire the curriculum. In some of the gatherings we will use the a statistical programme as an aid in statistical analysis.

Compulsory assignments

  • Innlevering av prosjektskisse

Further on evaluation

MANDATORY WORK REQUIREMENTS: Research report is mandatory. 70% participation is required.

EVALUATION:Assignments can be written individually or in groups of two. The course is only available for students at the study program Master of Public Administration.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Public Administration (ØAMPA3)

Required previous knowledge

None except required admission to the program.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
BMPA5062 7.5 sp Spring 2018
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Economics and Administration

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

NTNU Business School

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Assignment
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Assignment
Weighting 100/100 Date Submission 2025-10-02 Time Submission 12:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment