course-details-portlet

SANT3026

Ethnographic data collection

Credits 30
Level Second degree level
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English and norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement Oral exam

About

About the course

Course content

How do you undertake an anthropological research project? After you have completed subjects in theory, method and project design, you have a project description that lays the foundation for where and how you will carry out your master's project. Most master’s projects involve ethnographic fieldwork, but it is also possible to conduct other forms of data collection by devising projects based on museum collections, archives, or libraries.

Data collection should be of a minimum 5 months duration. You are free to choose both its theme and site according to your own particular interests. By applying practical and concrete methodologies, such as participant observation, informal conversations, and interviews, or archive, collection, or library studies, you will be challenged to collect empirical data on an independent basis that will form the foundation of your master’s thesis.

Learning outcome

On completing this course, you should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence.

Knowledge

  • You will have knowledge regarding other life-worlds and the conditions that shape these.
  • You will have knowledge regarding ethnographic and other qualitative research methodologies.
  • You will have experience-based knowledge and understanding of the social anthropological research process.

Skills

  • You are able to use different ethnographic research methods and establish your own data material.
  • You are able to change perspectives and ask new questions in light of new knowledge.
  • You can manage and execute your own research project.
  • You can make running scientific and ethical assessments throughout the research process.

General competence

  • You can gather data material in and on complex social situations.
  • You can adopt and immerse yourself in other people’s perspectives, and regard your own perspective from outside.
  • You can concretely and practically relate to principles of academic integrity and responsibility.

Learning methods and activities

The data collection period starts in mid-January and will last a minimum of five months. The work is carried out in or outside Norway. The subject requires independent work under individual supervision. During the data collection period you must submit a total of three reports which the supervisor must comment on in writing and provide feedback within two weeks. Each report must contain approximately 1,500 words and must deal with the process and preliminary findings, as well as reflections on professional and practical challenges related to the data collection. All the reports must be submitted and approved by 15 August to be able to take the exam in the subject.

Compulsory assignments

  • Three data collection reports

Further on evaluation

The form of examination in this subject is an oral examination, and the examination is assessed as Pass/Fail. Based on the collected data material and your reports, you must give an oral presentation, in which you include experiences and reflections that you have made during the data collection. The presentation must be carried out as part of a seminar to which supervisors, fellow students and other students can be invited.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Social Anthropology (MSANT)

Required previous knowledge

SANT3020 and SANT3024 or SANT3020, SANT3021 and SANT3022 or SANT3000 and SANT3100 and approved project description.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
SANT3023 30 sp Autumn 2024
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

  • Social Sciences
  • Social Anthropology

Contact information

Course coordinator

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Geography and Social Anthropology

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: Oral exam
Grade: Passed / Not Passed

Ordinary examination - Autumn 2025

Oral exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code A Date Release 2025-12-03
Submission 2025-12-03
Time Release 10:15
Submission 10:45
Duration 30 minutes

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

Oral exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code A Duration 30 minutes