MIED4010 – Research Methods I
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This course introduces you to a set of methodological issues and techniques that are essential for empirical research in the social sciences in general, and the two specialization areas of the programme more in particular.
The themes of this introductory course are:
- introduction to philosophy of social science
- introduction to quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research
- introduction to research traditions within educational sciences
A central aim of the course is to provide students with valid tools for critically evaluating empirical research and carefully developing their own research designs.
Learning outcome
Upon successful completion of the course you will:
Knowledge
- have acquired insight in relevant research traditions and epistemologies
- have achieved a deeper understanding of research as a scientific activity
- be able to identify and discuss the challenges and dilemmas involved in applying methods in empirical contexts
?
Skills
- have command over a broad spectrum of perspectives within different research traditions (quantitative/qualitative/mixed-methods)
- be able to apply a critical perspective with respect to how various methods are used in research
- be able to criticize and give feedback to the work of fellow students in a respectful, reflected and constructive manner
?
General Competence
- have developed an understanding of various elements of the scientific process, including aspects of the relation between theory and empirical evidence and between concepts and measures.
- have developed scientific curiosity and academic ways of thinking and reasoning
Admission to the course
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 primarily for students enrolled in the Masters in Education.
Other Master students at UiO, as well as eligible exchange students, who are interested in taking this course can be admitted if there are available places.
Only students who have been admitted to this course may attend the lectures, seminars and examinations.
Ranking:
All students enrolled in the Master of Education programme have equal access to the course.
Other applicants may be considered based on capacity. If there are available places, exchange students will be prioritized before master students on other programmes.
Capacity: maximum 60 students
Recommended previous knowledge
This course is a part of the Master in Education study programme.
Students are expected to have sufficient knowledge, skills and competences in social science research methods.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with HEM4112 – Research Methods and Statistics - course I (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with EDU4150 – Social Science Research (discontinued).
- 10 credits overlap with MIED2010 – Research Methods I.
Teaching
The course consists of lectures and seminars.
?
Compulsory activities
- Submission of a term paper (approx. 3500 words).?Requirements and deadlines will be announced at the beginning of the course. The term paper must be approved. If your paper is not approved,?you will have a chance to rewrite the paper within the same semester.?
- There is a mandatory 80% attendance requirement for this course.
?
If you do not fulfil the mandatory attendance requirement, you must complete an additional assignment prior to passing the course. The requirement for the additional assignment is at the discretion of the lecturer.
Any absence beyond 70% must be approved on an individual basis by the student administration. If approved, the additional assignment will have the same length as the course examination.
All the coursework is taking place at the University of Oslo Blindern campus.
?
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
The exam consists of a 4-hour school exam
You must have submitted and passed the term paper and completed the attendance requirements for this course prior to taking the final school examination.
Students who fail or do not pass the term paper will not be allowed to submit the school exam.??
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed.?
?
A calculator function will be integrated in the exam program
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Two examiners will evaluate the exam.?
Resit an examination
If you fail the exam, withdraw from the exam during the exam period or are registered with valid absence from the ordinary exam, you are allowed to re-sit for the exam. The (re-)exam will be organized within the same semester.?
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.