course-details-portlet

PK8214

Research Approaches in Engineering Management

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Doctoral degree level
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Approved report

About

About the course

Course content

Students make a literature review of applied research approaches in construction management. The review will focus on identifying and categorising the applied research methods. Possible categorisations and research models will be reviewed in the work shops. The final report can then have a discussion of common and not common research approaches in your field, what is frequent, what is rare, what are the listed weaknesses and strengths of the different approaches? A preliminary title of the delivery can be on this format: "Research approaches in the field of (your field): a structured literature review". The paper is formatted in a way that can make it suitable to submit to a relevant journal or conference with peer review. The course also addresses more general tips such as ethics in publishing and thesis by publication.

Learning outcome

Knowledge, the candidate gets knowledge about:

  • Common research approaches within a selected field of study.
  • How to analyze academic texts

Skills, the candidate can:

  • Apply different approaches to literature search.

General competence, the candidate can:

  • Summarize and reflect on different knowledge sources.

Learning methods and activities

Seminars and self studies, on time and dates to be agreed on with course participants, as far as possible.

Seminars will adress issues such as:

  • introduction to the course
  • ethics in publishing
  • thesis by publication
  • reflections on preliminary deliveries

Further on evaluation

The deliverable in the course can have more pages/words than the target publication channel, but should not be in the lower range of size for publications in the field. Students who fail or do not deliver report can deliver a following year, in synchronization with future courses. After approval from the course responsible, report may be delivered and evaluated at other times.

Required previous knowledge

Students should have defined their field of study.

All students taking this course must be enrolled in a PhD program at NTNU or a different university.

Course materials

A list of relevant literature will be provided. Some of this may be made available in pdf format. Students are expected to find own relevant literature in addition.

Subject areas

  • Project Quality Management
  • Industrial Economics and Technology Management
  • Railway Engineering
  • Architecture and Economics
  • Project Management
  • Railway Engineering
  • Town and Regional Planning

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Approved report
Grade: Passed / Not Passed

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Approved report
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code A Exam system Inspera Assessment