Course content

The course provides insights into different epistemological orientations that contextualize and inform approaches in research with children and on childhood. The course focuses on how to reflect critically on the relationship between the purpose of a study and the theoretical and methodological choices that arise in a research process. The course has a particular emphasis on qualitative methodologies, ethnographic fieldwork, and children as research participants. The course explores the interconnection between how children are understood as subjects of research, and how researchers formulate research questions, prepare an empirical inquiry, generate data, interpret and analyse data, and produce academic texts. The course aims to develop students' reflexivity and qualify them to make informed decisions when undertaking research in childhood studies.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student has:

• Knowledge about different epistemological orientations and philosophies of science, as well as how they inform and interlink with child research methodology
• In-depth knowledge of theoretical perspectives related to empirical research on children and childhood as a social phenomenon and interpretive methodologies
• Familiarity with discussions on quality in qualitative research

Skills

The student has:

• Skills to critically reflect on the link between the purpose of a study and the theoretical and methodological choices that arise in a research process
• Skills to reflexively approach child research and to make informed decisions when planning a scientific inquiry

General competence

The student has:

• Developed an understanding of the relationship between overall scientific principles, perspectives and debates, as well as on issues to consider when preparing child and childhood research
• Developed knowledge about and experiences regarding how to write academic texts

Learning methods and activities

Total lecture and seminar hours: approximately 30 hours.

Students are required to write a term paper on a topic related to the content of the course. The term paper needs to be approved before students are qualified for the final written examination. Students must present their own term paper and will be assigned to comment on another student's term paper.

Compulsory assignments

• Obligatory attendance lectures and seminar (80%)
• Approved term paper
• Oral presentation

Required previous knowledge

Admittance to the course requires a bachelor's degree in the social sciences or equivalent.

Students in the master’s programme in Childhood studies will be prioritised.

Course materials

Information will be given at the beginning of the semester.

Credit reductions