Syllabus, valid from 2020-01-20

Title

Media and Communication Studies: Research Methodology

Swedish title

Media and Communication Studies: Research Methodology

Course code

KK643B

Credits

7.5 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

2019-09-16

Syllabus valid from

2020-01-20

Level

Advanced level

Entry requirements

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)

Main field

Media and Communications Science

Progression level

A1F

Progression level in relation to degree requirements

The course is included in the main field of media and communication studies, and can be part of the degree requirements for each master's degree (60 or 120 credits).

Course objectives

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.

Course contents

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.

Learning outcomes

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

Learning activities

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

Assessment

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.

Course literature and other study material

Blaikie, Norman and Priest, Jan (2019) Designing Social Research: The Logic of Anticipation, 3rd Edition. Cambridge: Polity Press.
Blaikie, Norman and Priest, Jan (2017) Social Research: Paradigms in Action: 1st Edition. Cambridge: Polity Press.
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

Also literature in connection with carrying out the individual task.

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 ceases to be available or has undergone any major changes, the students are to be offered two opportunities to retake the examination during the year following the change for re-examination, based on the syllabus which applied at registration.