Learning outcomes

After a completed course the student will be able to:

• identify and explain basic scientifical theoretical points of departure, especially within the social science field,
• relate different methodological approaches, and explain their advantages and disadvantages,
• assess and critically evaluate scientific works on the basis of how the knowledge presented is related to the methodological approaches chosen for the study
• identify and delimit socio-technical research questions, and how they should be approached methodologically to result in relevant knowledge on the chosen problem
• plan and execute a minor social science study, and present the results verbally and in text
• assess methodological approaches from an ethical point of view, and show awareness of research ethics as an important aspect of research method.

Content

Overview of a number of theoretical points of departure and methodological choices relevant for social science research questions on technological phenomena and technological change. Orientation of a number of theoretical points of departure that social science methods rests upon. Illustration of how different methodological approaches relate to the type of problems they will answer, and the kind of knowledge they are able to generate. Reading and writing exercises and seminars, to practice the analysis and critical assessment of scientific knowledge, on the basis of the methodological choices this knowledge is based on. A practical study, to train the ability to identify a relevant social science research question, choose methods to investigate the chosen problem, and to reflect over choices, implementation and results from a methodological and ethical point of view.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, individual reading and writing exercises, laboratory work, statistical toolkit and group work.

Assessment

Written tasks, and active participation in seminars and group work (5 credits) and individual, written examination (5 credits).