Course content

This course is designed for third-semester Master's students and serves as a critical transition from theoretical knowledge to practical application. The course combines taught components with hands-on project development, giving students the opportunity to engage deeply with topics relevant to their proposed Master’s thesis subjects.

Students will explore advanced research areas relevant to their study programme through lectures and workshops, while also actively participating in developing an independent project closely aligned with their specific research interests.

The project-based component is designed to integrate the latest technological innovations and research methods, with a particular focus on work being carried out in IDI Gjøvik's research labs, centering on, for instance, on educational technology, social robots, decentralized systems as well as games and immersive technologies.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

• Recall and explain key concepts and advanced theories within the domain of interest.
• Identify and describe relevant research methodologies and frameworks used in the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects within their chosen research areas.
• Demonstrate understanding of how various technologies and tools are applied within the context of the student’s research project.

Skills

• Apply appropriate research methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative) to design, execute, and evaluate a research project that aligns with the student’s Master’s thesis topic.
• Analyze complex research problems, synthesizing information from a variety of sources to identify and formulate solutions that address key challenges within their chosen field of study.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the chosen methodologies and technologies within the context of their project, using appropriate data analysis and interpretation techniques.
• Develop and implement a research project, including setting objectives, managing resources, conducting experiments or simulations, and analyzing results.

General Competences

• Design an independent research project that makes an original contribution to the field, clearly articulating research questions, objectives, and methods.
• Critically assess the ethical considerations of conducting research, especially with respect to privacy, data security, and the societal impact of technology solutions in fields like educational technology and decentralized systems.
• Integrate advanced skills in project management, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and managing resources efficiently to achieve the project’s goals.
• Generate innovative ideas that contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the student's chosen research area, displaying creativity and originality in the development of the research project.
• Reflect on the personal and professional growth attained throughout the project, identifying areas for further development and ongoing learning beyond the Master’s programme.
• Use AI assistance to support planning and development processes.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures: Intensive sessions covering advanced theoretical topics and emerging research trends in the relevant fields.
• Workshops: Practical, hands-on sessions that focus on the tools, technologies, and research methodologies applicable to students' projects.
• Supervised Project Work: Individualized supervision with regular milestones and feedback from faculty and research lab mentors to ensure progress toward the final project.

Compulsory assignments

• Compulsory assignments

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

This course should ideally be taken parallel to the Research Project Planning course (MACS4000).

Course materials

Material will be provided as part of the course.