Course content

The course provides an introduction to relevant research methods for examining socio-cultural relations and processes.Various techniques for collecting data, and for analyzing collected material will be presented; interviewing and use of written sources will be emphasized. The practical aim of the course is to enable students to complete a research project. Through practical exercises in groups the aim is to develop the students' ability to create their own "research problem", to define a thesis, and to analyze relevant material.

Learning outcome

The objective of the course is to provide students with an introduction to relevant research methods by which to examine socio-cultural processes of change.

Students have knowledge of:

• qualitative research methods including key methodological foundation problems
• implementation of a qualitative research process with emphasis on different techniques of data collection and analysis of collected material
• selection of data / source types to analyze various issues
• various narrative techniques that can be used in the dissemination of research results
• research Code of Conduct

Students have skills in:

• developing a research question
• finding, collecting and evaluating data / sources that illuminate the problem
• analyzing different data types / sources
• designing reports and research texts

Learning methods and activities

Teaching consists of lectures and group work, field work (data collection). Assessment form is report.

Further information about the scope and requirements for exercises is given in Blackboard at the beginning of the semester.

Further on evaluation

Assessment form is a semester assignment/report. Graded as passed/fail (requires C or higher to pass). Participation in all teaching and group work is an important part of the education and it is mandatory attendance (75%). Students who do not fulfill the attendance requirement may, upon application to the department, have a compulsory written work.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to the Master's programme in STS.