Course - Qualitative Research Methods for the master thesis - MET410
Qualitative Research Methods for the master thesis
About
About the course
Course content
The course focuses on the following topics:
- How to understand qualitative research
- Research questions, research design and how to delineate projects
- The role of literature review and theory in qualitative research
- Different methods for data-collection: observations, interviews, document studies etc
- Data analysis and use of software - interpretation, research quality, ethics in qualitative research
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
- Students should have an advanced understanding of principles for qualitative research processes and their challenges.
- They should be able to reflect on how choices of research design including data collection and analytic methods influence the project results.
Skills:
- Students should know of and understand a range of available elements in qualitative research projects.
- Students should understand principles of and be able to collect and analyze qualitative data, as well as understand the practical implications of different choices.
General understanding:
- Students should acquire a sound basis to apply qualitative methods for their master thesis and other research- and investigative projects.
Learning methods and activities
A combination of lectures, presentations, group and independent assignments.
Lectures will to some extent be used to present and discuss a variety of qualitative research designs. Student participation is expected. In sessions a variety of assignments will be presented to train students in different qualitative methodologies.
The course is taught intensively at the beginning of the semester.
Further on evaluation
Assessment will be based on a portfolio consisting of individual works based on key elements of the subject as well as a term paper in groups. The grade thus consists of two sub-assessments:
Individual assignments count 50% and assignments in groups count 50%. The number of works in the individual part is stated at the start of the semester. The term paper is submitted by groups consisting of two or three students. The students themselves are responsible for finding someone to write with.
In the case of a re-sit exam and the last exam after the course has been discontinued, the form of assessment may be changed to an oral exam.
If you do not pass, it will be possible to retake the individual partial assessment. If students want to improve their grade, all partial assessments must be retaken.
The course is only available to students with admission to a study program under "special conditions".
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Accounting and Auditing (MRR)
Economics (MSØK)
Economics (MSØK/5)
Economics and Business Administration (MSIVØK5)
Economics and Business Administration (ØAMSC)
Industrial Economics and Technology Management (MTIØT)
International Business and Marketing (860MIB)
Management of Technology (ØAMLT)
Recommended previous knowledge
None
Required previous knowledge
None
Course materials
Course literature will be announced at the latest in the beginning of the course.
Subject areas
- Economics and Administration
Contact information
Examination
Examination
Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025
Work
Submission 2025-09-16 Time Release 08:00
Submission 14:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment
Assignment
Submission 2025-10-08 Time Release 08:00
Submission 14:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment