HMET4210 – Research Design
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
In this course, you shall elaborate the project description for your master thesis.
The course offers an introduction to research methodology and how to write scientific research reports and project proposals. The course will introduce students to the challenges in research design and analysis as well as preparing students in writing their thesis. There will be offered both theoretical perspectives and practical exercises. This course focuses on topics such as science, research, validity, research processes and problems, research issues and questions and the significance of research.
The course consists of two main parts. First part consists of two days of lectures and plenary exercise sessions. This first part ends by a mandatory submission of a proposed topic and plan for the Master, Second part of the course consists of work in seminar groups where students are allocated according to the topic chosen for their Master thesis. In these groups students must present a Draft Research proposal, make comments to two other research proposals, and present a Revised Research proposal. The second part of the course ends by a mandatory submission of a Final Research proposal, which is awarded pass or fail. Students that have failed to take part in mandatory activities will automatically fail the course.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- To be able to understand the different stages of a research process
- To be able to understand what a research question is and the importance of formulating relevant ones
- To be able to recognize the relationship between theory and evidence
- To make students familiar with the relationship between authors and readers and their different roles.
- To make students aware of ethical issues in research.
Skills
- To be able to classify and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the research design of social research.
- To enable students to describe scientific texts based on a general structure of such texts.
- To enable students to write their own research proposal.
- To be able to define and use key concepts in research and research ethics.
- To develop the ability to convert own interests and ideas into relevant research questions.
- To be able to develop answers to research questions in a scientific way.
General competence
The course shall aid students to develop a critical analytical state of mind and to strengthen develop their ability to perform research (both empirical and theoretical studies).
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
This course is only available for students at the programmes Health Economics, Policy and Management and the European Master in Health Management and Economics.
Overlapping courses
5 credits overlap with HMM44104A - Research Design
Teaching
After an initial introductory class, students will be divided up into different groups based on the theme of their proposed topic for their masters thesis.
Examination
- First part: participation at Introductory lectures and subsequent submission of proposed topic and plan for the Master thesis.
- Second part: participation in group exercises and submission of a) a Draft Research proposal, b) a Revised Research proposal, and c) a Final Research proposal
Attending lectures and participating in group exercises are compulsory (in order to pass).
Grading
The Board at the University of Oslo has decided to introduce detailed guidelines for all examinations, which take place at the University. The description of the grading should be clear and transparent. This is done to ensure alignment between learning outcomes, assignments, and grading. The Faculty of Medicine has developed a web page with information regarding exams and the grading procedures (norwegian version).
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a pass/fail scale. Read more about the grading system.
The assessment (pass/fail) is done on the basis of participation in lectures and exercises and on a mandatory assignments (“the research proposal”).
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
For HEPMA students:
For Eu-HEM students:
An EU-hem student cannot present her or himself for the examination in a course more than two times. There will be held re-sits for EU-hem students who have failed an exam or who have legitimate absence (usually illness) in January and August. If you are entitled to a re-sit you must contact the student advisor via email no longer than one week after the result of the exam has been published.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.