Course syllabus spring 2025
Course syllabus spring 2025
Title
IMER III: Research Methodology and Bachelor Thesis
Swedish title
IMER III: Forskningsmetodologi och kandidatuppsats
Course code
IM300L
Credits
30 credits
Grading scale
UA / Excellent (A), Very Good (B), Good (C), Satisfactory (D), Pass (E) or Fail (U)
Language of instruction
English
Decision-making body
Faculty of Culture and Society
Syllabus approval date
2021-09-15
Syllabus valid from
2023-01-16
Entry requirements
60 credits with progression within the main field of IMER (IMER I (30 credits) and IMER II: The Challanges of Ethic Diversity (15 credits) and IMER II: Europe and International Migration (15 credits)
Level
Basic level
Main field
International Migration and Ethnic Relations
Progression level
G2E
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is part of the main field of study International Migration and Ethnic Relations 61-90 credit level and meets the degree requirements for the degree of Bachelor, main field of study International Migration and Ethnic Relations.
Course objectives
Module I – Research Methodology (14 credits)
The aim of the module is to assure that students acquire knowledge, skills and understanding of the research process. IMER is a multidisciplinary subject which, among other things, means that IMER students have to be well acquainted with a variety of methods and techniques. The module is centered on research design and methodology, covering the philosophical foundations, theoretical assumptions and concrete methods and techniques of different methodologies. It also covers some of the ethical aspects involved in research. The aim of the module is to assure that student acquire an understanding of how these elements are contingent on one another; that they can make an informed choice of design based on research subject and aim; and that they have an ability to independently plan and reflect on small research projects.
Module II – Bachelor Thesis (16 Credits)
The general aim of the course is that students should be able to further develop their analytical competence for independent analysis and critical reflection regarding complex issues in the field of International Migration and Ethnic Relations through the completion of a bachelor Thesis.
Course contents
Module I – Research Methodology (14 credits)
The module covers the most important research designs/methodologies in IMER research such as statistics, comparative analysis, case studies, experiments, text analysis and narrative analyses, both with respect to philosophical and theoretical foundations and concrete methods and techniques of data collection.
Module II – Bachelor Thesis
The Thesis is a supervised project. Supervision is carried out on an individual basis and includes seminar meetings with the supervisor and a thesis defense including oppositions.
Learning outcomes
Module I – Research Methodology (14 credits)
After completing the module, the student should be able to:
- Describe the main characteristics of different methodologies in IMER research.
- Describe the main philosophical and theoretical foundations of different methodologies in IMER research.
- Assess the strengths and weaknesses of different methodologies in IMER research.
- Assess the relevance and applicability of different methodologies in relation to diverse research aims and questions.
- Assess the relevance and reliability of different forms of data collection for a given research topic and aim.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the methodological implications of different philosophical and theoretical standpoints.
- Demonstrate a deeper ability to analyze and critically assess the progress within the research field of IMER.
- Formulate a delimited research topic and link it to an appropriate research design.
- Plan small research projects.
- Analyze, discuss and compare research projects in a critical and constructive manner.
Module II – Bachelor Thesis
After finishing the module, the student should be able to:
- Show in-depth understanding of key methodological procedures and key concepts within the field of IMER;
- Work on and present a Thesis of limited scope, within an agreed time frame, that meets the standard procedure of academic work in the social sciences and humanities;
- Assess the academic, social and ethical implications of his/her work.
- Present his/her research results in a report in which conventional language usage and format are observed;
- Act as both opponent and respondent in a scientific thesis seminar; and
- Through the thesis, show an increased understanding of basic critical and scientific approaches to theory within the humanities and social sciences.
Learning activities
Module I – Research Methodology
Lectures, seminars and individual studies.
Module II – Bachelor Thesis
Supervision, seminar and the writing of a thesis. To further assist them in their studies, students have access to the university’s computer rooms and library. During the writing of the thesis, teacher’s supervision is provided. A student who has not finished the project work during the course or has not received a passing grade on the project work at the end of the course cannot be guaranteed continued supervision.
Assessment
Module I – Research Methodology
The module is assessed through i) active participation and presentation of written work in the seminars (4 credits) and through ii) the production of an individually written paper (10 credits).
Re-take examinations
Students who do not pass the regular course exams have the minimum of two re-take opportunities. Re-takes follow the same form as the original exams, apart from re-takes for seminar participation, which take the form of individual written assignments.
Module II – Bachelor Thesis
The course is examined by means of an individual written thesis (15 credits) which is defended at an opposition seminar. Each student is also required to provide the opposition for another project (thesis defence and opposition, 1 credit).
In order to pass the course, student musts submit the paper and defend it at the final seminar as well as oppose another student’s thesis.
Course literature
Module I – Research Methodology
- Cresswell, John W. & Crewell, J David, (latest edition) Research Design – Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.
- Moses, Jonathon, Knutsen, Torbjorn L (latest edition) Ways of Knowing, Competing Methodologies in Social and Political Research, Hampshire: Palgrave.
- Okasha, Samir, (latest edition) Philosophy of Science: a very short introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press
- Silverman, David (latest edition) Interpreting Qualitative Data, London: SAGE publications.
+ Course portfolios with extended reading on different methodologies and resources for data collection.
Module II – Bachelor Thesis
- Literature is chosen in agreement with the project supervisor.
Course evaluation
The University provides students who participate in or who have completed a course with the opportunity to make known their experiences and viewpoints with regards to the course by completing a course evaluation administered by the University. The University will compile and summarize the results of course evaluations as well as informing participants of the results and any decisions relating to measures initiated in response to the course evaluations. The results will be made available to the students (HF 1:14).
Interim rules
If a course is no longer offered or has undergone major changes, students will be offered two re-take sessions based on the syllabus in force at registration during a period of one year from the date of the implementation of the changes.