Science theory and method
The course deals with basic scientific theory, ethics and scientific methods and provides an understanding of scientific approaches and the difference between science and pseudoscience. Gender perspectives on research and science are addressed. During the course, skills in argumentation and scientific reasoning are practised. Research processes are described and certain individual elements, including literature search, compilation and statistical analysis, are practiced. Qualitative and quantitative methods, including basic statistical methods, with applications in forest science and biology are addressed.
The course is completed with lectures, seminars and practical exercises. Seminars and some computer exercises are mandatory.
Information from the course leader
Vetenskapsteori och metod VT2022
Hej och välkommen till kursen Vetenskapsteori och metod!
Kursens föreläsningar planeras att ges på plats på SLU i Umeå. Vi kommer att göra det enklare för studenter att vara hemma genom att streama föreläsningarna (via zoom) samtidigt som de ges. Vi följer folkhälsomyndighetens och universitets riktlinjer och tänker på våra medmänniskor (håll avståndet, tvättar händerna ofta och stanna hemma om du har minsta symtom).
Vi kommer att ha en hel del gruppövningar som också sker på Universitetet - om situationen inte ändras. Seminarier där grupparbeten presenteras förekommer – dessa är vid flera tillfällen obligatoriska.
Det kan dock hända att nya besked om detta kommer snart – så var beredda på att hela kursen kan bli online!
OBS! Jag har beslutat att måndagens introduktion och föreläsning blir online! kl 9-11.30 på zoom - länk finns under Zoom möte 1
Under nästa vecka är det är möjligt att delta i kursen online - (övningen i R får man göra självständigt).
Det kommer att gå att vara på campus och lyssna på Hildas föresläsningar (men de kommer även att streamas via zoom).
Vi kommer att styra upp gruppövningarna så att det GÅR att vara hemma iaf.
Detta gäller fortfarande bara nästa vecka - senare i kursen kan det finnas moment när ni bör vara på plats.
PS. Schemat har uppdateras för att göra onsdagseftermiddagar fria! Men fler ändringar i schemat kan komma att ske.
Kursen leds av Karin Nilsson (Institutionen för vilt, fisk och miljö) och Hilda Edlund (Avdelningen för skoglig resursanalys) som kommer att hålla de flesta föreläsningarna i vetenskapsteori respektive statistik.
Camilla Widmark kommer att föreläsa om kvalitativa metoder och Gun Lidestav kommer att vara med också.
Course evaluation
The course evaluation is now closed
SV0005-30298 - Course evaluation report
Once the evaluation is closed, the course coordinator and student representative have 1 month to draft their comments. The comments will be published in the evaluation report.
Additional course evaluations for SV0005
Academic year 2023/2024
Science theory and method (SV0005-30131)
2024-01-15 - 2024-02-14
Academic year 2022/2023
Science theory and method (SV0005-30097)
2023-01-16 - 2023-02-15
Syllabus and other information
Syllabus
SV0005 Science theory and method, 7.5 Credits
Vetenskapsteori och metodSubjects
Forestry Science Mathematical StatisticsEducation cycle
Bachelor’s levelModules
| Title | Credits | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Science theory and methods | 4.0 | 0102 |
| Statistics | 3.5 | 0103 |
Advanced study in the main field
First cycle, has only upper-secondary level entry requirementsBachelor’s level (G1N)
Grading scale
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.
Language
SwedishPrior knowledge
General entry requirements for first-cycle studies and- Mathematics 3b / 3c or Mathematics C.
Objectives
The purpose of the course is to provide a basic understanding of scientific theory, method and interpretation of data and provide practical skills in numerical analysis.
After completing the course the student should be able to
outline scientific theoretical traditions and concepts and describe scientific views and ethical aspects of science
describe research processes and describe qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis
perform literature search and explain the difference between different types of literature
summarize results and critically examine basic statistics in scientific articles
orally argue and perform scientific reasoning
describe methods for experimental design and data collection
explain basic statistical terminology
apply descriptive statistics, confidence intervals and hypothesis tests
interpret the obtained statistical results and put them in context
perform basic statistical analysis using relevant software.
Content
The course deals with basic scientific theory, ethics and scientific methods and provides an understanding of scientific approaches and the difference between science and pseudoscience. Gender perspectives on research and science are addressed. During the course, skills in argumentation and scientific reasoning are practised. Research processes are described and certain individual elements, including literature search, compilation and statistical analysis, are practiced. Qualitative and quantitative methods, including basic statistical methods, with applications in forest science and biology are addressed.
The course is completed with lectures, seminars and practical exercises. Seminars and some computer exercises are mandatory.
Grading form
The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.Formats and requirements for examination
Approved written examination
Completed mandatory elements
If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.
The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.
If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.
For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Other information
The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.
If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.
Additional information
The syllabus is uppdated in accordance with the decisions 2021-02-11 (§§ 9-10) by the Board of Education on the main field of study Forestry science and on degree requirements (SLU.sfak.2021.3.1.1-22). It thus replaces SG0264, decided by the Programme Board for Education in Forestry (PN-S) 2020-11-11 (SLU.sfak.2020.3.1.1-447), due to changed field of study.Responsible department
Department of Wildlife, Fish, & Environmental Studies
Cooperating departments:
Further information
Litterature list
- Introduktion till vetenskapsteorin Författare: Lars-Göran Johansson ISBN: 978-91-7235-114-1 [Introduktion till vetenskapsteorin] (https://www.bokus.com/bok/9789172351141/introduktion-till-vetenskapsteorin/?source=googleps&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4py70tek9AIVEEeRBR1McQY_EAQYAiABEgJni_D_BwE) Kommentar: Boken ger en införing i vetenskapsteori utan att kräva några filosofiska förkunskaper, men knyter an till olika vetenskaper. De gemensamma dragen i olika vetenskaper betonas, men läsaren får samtidigt en bred överblick över olika former av vetenskaper. Boken är därför användbar oavsett vilken vetenskap man primärt är mest intresserad av.
I tretton kapitel behandlas: vetenskapens framväxt; begreppet kunskap; hypoteser och hypotesprövning; vetenskapliga data; kvantitativa och kvalitativa metoder; orsaker och korrelationer; förklaringar; förklaringar i samhällsvetenskaperna och humaniora; vetenskapliga lagar; kropp medvetandeproblemet; teorier, modeller och verkligheten; teorier om vetenskapens utveckling; vetenskap och värderingar.
- Statistics for the Life Sciences, Global Edition Författare: Myra L Samuels ISBN: 9781292101811 [Statistics for the Life Sciences, Global Edition] (https://www.bokus.com/bok/9781292101811/statistics-for-the-life-sciences-global-edition/) Kommentar: Boken kommer även att användas på senare kurser - för programstudenter.