The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods
The course provides the students with a deepened understanding of theoretical and methodological contexts and of the perspectives different theories, concepts and methods contribute to data collection and analysis. The main focus of the course is on qualitative methods, but the theoretical context of quantitative methods are also presented. The course presents the theoretical grounds of discourse and world system theory analyses, social analyses of bureaucracies and governmentality, actor-network-theory (ANT), structuralism and poststructuralism, critical theory and gender theory.
The course consists of lectures as well as individual and group exercises, discussed during seminars.
Course evaluation
Additional course evaluations for LU0090
Academic year 2020/2021
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods (LU0090-10230) 2020-09-30 - 2020-11-01Academic year 2019/2020
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods (LU0090-10074) 2019-10-02 - 2019-10-31Academic year 2018/2019
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods (LU0090-10159) 2018-10-04 - 2018-11-05Academic year 2017/2018
The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods (LU0090-10050) 2017-09-28 - 2017-10-30Syllabus
LU0090 The Context and Process of Research II: Theories and Methods, 7.5 Credits
Forskningsprocessens kontext och process II: teorier och metoderSyllabus approved
2016-12-02Subjects
Rural Development Environmental scienceEducation cycle
Second cycleAdvanced study in the main field
Second cycle, only first-cycle courses as entry requirements(A1N)Grading scale
Language
EnglishPrior knowledge
Equivalent to 120 credits within social, natural sciences or the humanities, of which 90 credits within a particular major. Basic scientific understanding of social science theory and its interconnection to the research process.Knowledge equivalent to English B from upper secondary school, English 550 or higher TOEFL or English 5,5 or higher IELTS.
Objectives
The aim of this course is to equip students with a deepened understanding of the theoretical and methodological context of the social sciences research process, in order to undertake studies on rural development and environmental communication issues, as well as on social science issues at large. The focus is both on knowledge of social science theory and on its practical use; both in the students’ own research and in their analysis of others’ scientific research.Upon completion of the course, the student shall be able to:
- understand and analyze the rationale of the main schools of social science theory and account for their interconnection with distinct research methods
- understand and draw on relevant social science theories in the design of the research project and selection of interlinked research methods
- identify, discuss and analyze relevant methodological issues in relation to a specific research problem and decide which research methods that ought to be used, in order to answer the questions that the problem poses
- assess scientific texts so as to identify and critically analyze the explicit and/or implicit theories, which permeates the selection and application of research methods, including participant observation and different forms of interviews, action research, the construction of questionnaires, the use of basic statistical methods, and analysis of sources and discourses
- demonstrate in written and oral form thorough knowledge of the use of different research methods so as to establish relevant empirical material in relation to the analysis of specific research questions
- evaluate and reflect on strengths and weaknesses of different research methods and the researcher’s own position within the research
- make assessments of ethical dilemmas and actual practices in concrete research projects and methods, within the disciplines of rural development and environmental communication, as well as social research at large.
Content
The course comprises lectures, individual and group assignments, that are discussed and critiqued during seminars.This course constitutes a continuation of the course ‘The Context and Process of Research I: Theories and Methods. The intention of the course is to enable the students to design research projects and select relevant research methods, in full awareness of their theoretical methodological preconditions and implications.
The course offers students a deepened knowledge of the theoretical framework of social sciences and qualitative and quantitative research methods. During the course the students will continue to work on their individual research projects; formulating and refining a research problem, selecting and analyzing adequate methods, in relation to the problem, while describing and analyzing their theoretical methodological preconditions and implications in both written and oral form. Furthermore, the course also offers a deepened understanding of the contexts and perspectives of distinct methods for data collection and analysis, with a main focus on qualitative methods, as well as the ethical dilemmas of research.
Formats and requirements for examination
For successful completion of the course the student must participate in compulsory sessions and give in a portfolio that comprise approved exam and assignments.The final exam which also determines the grade of the course consists of a home exam
- If the student fails a test, the examiner may give the student a supplementary assignment, provided this is possible and there is reason to do so.
- If the student has been granted special educational support because of a disability, the examiner has the right to offer the student an adapted test, or provide an alternative assessment.
- If changes are made to this course syllabus, or if the course is closed, SLU shall decide on transitional rules for examination of students admitted under this syllabus but who have not yet passed the course.
- For the examination of a degree project (independent project), the examiner may also allow the student to add supplemental information after the deadline. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor's and Master's level.
Other information
- The right to take part in teaching and/or supervision only applies to the course date to which the student has been admitted and registered on.
- If there are special reasons, the student may take part in course components that require compulsory attendance at a later date. For more information on this, please refer to the regulations for education at Bachelor's and Master's level.