Course syllabus spring 2021
Course syllabus spring 2021
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 approval date
2020-11-04
Syllabus valid from
2021-01-18
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.
Level
Basic level
No main field.
Progression level
G1F
Progression level in relation to degree requirements
The course is not part of a main field of study.
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.
- Assess the academic, social and ethical implications of his/her work.
- 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
- Bryman, Alan (2016 or later) Social research methods, Oxford: Oxford University Press. [Fifth edition or later].
+Articles (circa 600 pp)
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.
Additional information
The Language of Instruction is English