course-details-portlet

BIA3003

Introduction to research methods

Choose study year
Credits 7.5
Level Third-year courses, level III
Course start Autumn 2024
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction English and norwegian
Location Ålesund
Examination arrangement Portfolio

About

About the course

Course content

This course covers central topics on the use scientific methods and scientific writing, and it will focus on the application of selected scientific methods. The course will teach basic knowledge, skills and competence to plan and conduct scientific investigations at bachelor level and to critically evaluate one’s own and other's scientific work. The course will guide through the process to carry out a simple, applied research project from the definition of a problem to the dissemination of results in scientific and popular scientific formats.

Candidates will gain knowledge and receive training in; the formulation of concrete problems, development of hypotheses, literature search, scientific citing, research and experimental planning, choice of experimental design, analysis and evaluation of data. All segments of this process will include theory and practical training of selected scientific methods. In addition, the course deals with how to present data and other research results in the best way and then be able to set up a discussion. The course deals with scientific writing and other scientific and popular scientific forms of communication.

The course will also provide insight into research funding and application processes. The course will enable students to evaluate. plan and carry out minor research work at bachelor level, as well as to present research results in writing and orally.

Learning outcome

Knowledge - the students:

  • have broad knowledge about the scientific approach to examine concrete problems
  • can update their knowledge about concrete problems on a defined topic
  • have knowledge about the dissemination of research results
  • have knowledge about selected scientific methods to plan and conduct scientific tests, collect and analyze data

Skills - the students:

  • can develop and formulate clear and concise scientific problems and hypotheses
  • can conduct systematic data collection
  • can conduct basic data analyses using selected methods
  • can couple defined problems with theory and relevant empirical data and knowledge
  • can evaluate their own and other's research approach and presentation within their own discipline and method they are familiar with
  • can evaluate applied research problems

General competence - the students:

  • have insight into the scientific approach for planning, conducting and presenting research work
  • can use sources, databases and search engines for scientific literature
  • can plan and conduct minor scientific studies
  • can present results orally and in writing, in a scientific and popular scientific manner
  • can critically reflect over their own professional work.

Learning methods and activities

Learning activities:

Lectures/seminars up to 30 hours, exercises up to 48 hours, individual study and exam up to 120 hours.

Mandatory assignments:

Up to 6 mandatory reports, of which at least 80% need to be approved.

Compulsory assignments

  • Reports

Further on evaluation

Portfolio assesment: up to 6 mandatory reports, of which at least 80% have to be passed. Selected assignments are delivered as one portfolio by the end of the semester.

The written exam can be changed to an oral exam in semesters the course is not taught in.

Specific conditions

Admission to a programme of study is required:
Aquaculture - Engineering (BIHAV)
Biomarine Innovation (298BMI)

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
BI3052 2.5 sp Autumn 2021
IP500817 2.5 sp Autumn 2021
This course has academic overlap with the courses 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

  • Ethics
  • Marine Biology

Contact information

Course coordinator

Lecturers

Department with academic responsibility

Department of Biological Sciences Ålesund