Prerequisite courses for this course are: KK640B Media and Communication Studies: Key Themes in Media and Communication Studies (passed) KK641B Media and Communication Studies: Understanding the Creative Industries (passed) and KK642B Media and Communication Studies: Collaborative Media (passed)

Research Methodology is a course in research methodology and the theory of knowledge. It examines epistemological problems as well as both basic and more exploratory scientific methods relevant to media and communication studies.

Based on the lectures and the reading list, students acquire knowledge and skills with respect to different methods relevant to media and communication studies. The course provides students with the methodological foundation required to complete an independent degree project.

After completing the course students shall:

1) demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles and the thinking behind the different research paradigms relevant to Media and Communication Studies

2) demonstrate the ability to describe and discuss different methods and their areas of application, their strengths and weaknesses and their epistemological roots

3) demonstrate the ability to formulate research questions, design a scientific study and choose relevant methods based on a specific research questions

4) demonstrate the ability to reflect over methodological aspects that are related to different research paradigms, and to able see the relationship between the theoretical basis and the choice of research method

5) demonstrate the ability to identify and apply relevant method/methods for different media and communication issues

6) demonstrate the ability within the media and communication field of knowledge to assess and evaluate the methodological relevance of the different studies

7) demonstrate the ability to critically reflect over one’s own role and position as a researcher

8) demonstrate the ability to critically discuss and analyse ethically related issues in connection with media and communication studies

9) demonstrate the ability to reflect over issues related to scientific theory

The course is based on lectures, seminars, reading list, supervision and an individual task. The course is web-based.

Course examination through individual work, in which the student on the one hand, gains practical experience in working with a method selected by the student and on the other hand, reflect over and discuss methodological issues relevant to media and communication studies in general.

Collins, Hilary (2010) Creative Research. The Theory and Practice of Research for the Creative Industries. Lausanne, Switzerland: AVA Books.

Layder, Derek (2013) Doing Excellent Small-Scale Research. LA, London, New Dehli: Sage

Pickering, Michael (red.) (2008) Research Methods for Cultural Studies. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Blaikie, Norman (2009) Designing Social Research, 2nd Edition. Cambridge: Polity Press.

Savage, Mike (2013) ”The ’Social Life of Methods’: A Critical Introduction”, Theory, Culture and Society 30(4): 3-21.

Also literature in connection with carrying out the individual task.

Written course evaluation carried out at the end of the course.