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Malmö universitet

Course syllabus

Autumn 2017

Course syllabus, Autumn 2017

Title

Researching Media Technology

Swedish title

Forska i medieteknik

Course code

ME613A

Credits

7.5 credits

Grading scale

UV / Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)

Language of instruction

English

Decision-making body

Faculty of Technology and Society

Syllabus valid from

2017-08-28

Syllabus approval date

2017-08-29

Level

Advanced level

Entry requirements

  1. Degree of bachelor in Media Technology or in a related field. Examples of relevant degrees include, but are not limited to: computer science, informatics, information systems, human-computer interaction, interaction design, media/IT management, game development, media and communication studies, and digital cultural studies. All degrees must be equivalent to at least 180 higher education credits.
  2. The equivalent of English 6/English B in Swedish secondary school.

Main field

Media Technology

Progression level

A1N / Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements

Progression level in relation to degree requirements

The course meets the degree requirement for the degree of Master (One Year), main field of study Media Technology.

Course objectives

The aim of the course is for the student to develop theoretical and practical knowledge, skills and evaluation of theory of science and methodological issues. Particular attention will be paid to methodologies used in the field of media technology.

Course contents

Advanced qualitative and quantitative research design and methodologies, for example participatory design, ethnography and data analysis. The course also includes an overview of theories of science, research ethics, and practices of academic writing.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course the student shall demonstrate ability to:
  • Explain perspectives of theory of science and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the relationships between different methodological approaches and their areas of application
  • Show in-depth understanding of quantitative and qualitative methods and their use of application, with a particular focus on the multidisciplinary field of research of media technology
Skills and abilities
On completion of the course the student shall demonstrate ability to:
  • Apply basic concepts of theory of science and methodological concepts
  • Identify and critically discuss specific theoretical and methodological problems in research papers and scientific articles
  • Analyse the relationship between the results obtained in an investigation and the conclusions justified by the results
Judgement and approach
On completion of the course the student shall demonstrate ability to:
  • Discuss and evaluate research and research-related issues within a broad field of media technology, and demonstrate a critical approach to how knowledge is produced
  • Argue about alternative ways to solve problems of scientific, social and ethical aspects
  • Identify and critically discuss, both orally and in writing, basic theory of science and methodological problems from an interdisciplinary and multi-methodological perspective

Learning activities

Lectures, seminars and individual studies.

Assessment

The course is examined through oral and written examination, including active participation in seminars.
To pass the course the following is required:
  • written examination (3 credits)
  • seminars (2.5 credits)
  • written assignments (2 credits)
To pass the course at least grade G on each part is required. To obtain VG for the entire course, VG is required on the written examination.

Course literature and other study material

The course has no specific reference literature, but the following or similar titles are possible:
  • Alvesson, M. (2010). Interpreting interviews. London. Sage Publications
  • Becker, H. S. (1998). Tricks of the Trade. University of Chicago Press
  • Berndtsson, M., Hansson, J., Olsson, B., & Lundell, B. (2008). Thesis projects: A guide for students in computer science and information systems. (2008). London: Springer
  • Björk, L., Räisänen, C. & Björk C. M. (2003). Academic writing: A university writing course. 3 ed. Lund: Stuentlitteratur
  • Cox, B. G., Binder, D. A., Chinnappa, B. N., Christianson, A., & Colledge, M. J. (2011). Business survey methods. Toronto: Wiley
  • Cresswell, J. W. (2008) Research design: Qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches. London: Sage Publications
  • de Vaus, D. (2002) Analyzing Social Science Data: 50 Key Problems in Data Analysis. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications
  • Denzin, N.K. & Lincoln, Y. (eds.) (2000). Handbook of Qualitative Research. (2nd ed.) Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications
  • Fowler, F. J. J. (2002). Survey research methods. London: Sage publications
  • Gillham, B. (2008). Observation techniques: Structured to unstructured. Oxford: Continuum International Pub
  • Groves, R. M. (2010). Survey Methodology. New York: Wiley
  • Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: methods & techniques. New Delhi: New Age International Publishers
  • Malmfors, B. (2004). Writing and presenting scientific papers. Notttingham: Nottingham University Press
  • Neuendorf, K. A. (2002). The content analysis: Guidebook. London: Sage Publications
  • Pink, S. et al (2015). Digital Ethnography: Principles and Practice. London: Sage Publication
  • Pink. S. (2015). Doing Sensory Ethnography 2nd ed. Edition. London: Sage Publication
  • Ridely, D. (2008). The literature review: a step-by-step guide for students, London: Sage Publication
  • Rosenberg, A. (2005). Philosophy of science: A contemporary introduction. New York: Routledge
  • Simonsen, J. & Robertson, T. (2013). Routledge international handbook of participatory design. New York: Routledge
  • Stake, R. E. (1995). The Art of Case Study Research. London: Sage publications
  • Thomas, R. M. (2003). Blending qualitative and quantitative research methods in theses and dissertations. London: Sage Publications

Course evaluation

The university provides all students who are participating in, or have completed, a course to express their experiences and views on the course through a course evaluation which is organized at the end of the course. The university will collate the course evaluations and provide information about their results and any actions prompted by them. The results shall be made available to the students. (HF 1:14).

Interim rules

When a course is no longer given, or the contents have been radically changed, the student has the right to re-take the examination, which will be given twice during a one year period, according to the syllabus which was valid at the time of registration.