Course syllabus
Spring 2013
Course syllabus, Spring 2013
Title
Basic Research Methods

Swedish title
Basic Research Methods
Course code
IM140L
Credits
15 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 valid from
2013-01-21
Syllabus approval date
2012-11-07
Level
Basic level
Entry requirements
The equivalent of English course B in Swedish secondary school, and completed course IM101E or IM101L – International Migration and Ethnic Relations I or other courses equal to 30 higher education credits in social science.
Main field
No main field.
Progression level
G1F / First cycle, has less than 60 credits in first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course can normally be included as a part of a general degree at undergradate level.
Course objectives
The course aims to give students basic knowledge and skills required for conducting applied research in the field of international migration and ethnic relations.
Course contents
The course combines theoretical studies and discussions with practical hands on investigations. It builds on comparative approaches and critical discussions of different research designs and methods, on actual investigations in small groups, and on oral and written presentations. Students are encouraged and expected to actively participate in all the learning activities.
Learning outcomes
After finishing the course, the student should have the following skills at a basic level. The student will therefore be able to:
- Define and apply key methodological concepts in the social sciences.
- Describe and compare different research designs and methods related to the study of international migration and ethnic relations.
- Explain and assess how research design, method and results affect one another.
- Select appropriate research methods to address different research questions.
- Carry out small research projects in close collaboration with other students.
- Present and critically discuss research results in both oral and written form.
Learning activities
Lectures, seminar discussions, independent research conducted in small groups, oral presentations, and an individually performed written assignment. The course material consists of books and articles that are mandatory reading, in combination with the material and data that students select and use in their research projects. Students have access to the university’s computer rooms and library.
Assessment
The course is assessed through:
1) Seminar activities in which students present and discuss small research projects. Students who fail to attend or to pass these examinations are required to hand in written assignments instead.
2) One individually written home assignment. Students who do not pass this examination are offered two re-examinations each semester.
The two forms of assessment (1 and 2) are equally important for the course grade.
Course literature and other study material
Cresswell, John W. 2009. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches.Thousand Oaks: SAGE. 260 pp.
May, Tim. 2001. Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process. Buckingham: Open University Press. 250pp.
+Articles (circa 500 pp)
Course evaluation
Oral, informal evaluation is carried out throughout the course. A formal, written evaluation is carried out at the end of the course and published on the course homepage.