Entry requirements

180 credits including 40 credits in industrial engineering and management at Master's level. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• identify and explain basic scientific theoretical points of departure, relevant for scientific work within industrial technology,
• relate different methodological approaches to each other, and describe their benefits and limitations,
• design and conduct a research study in the field of industrial technology applying qualitative and quantitative methods,
• assess and critically review scientific work in industrial technology with regards to its methodological approach and rigor,
• identify and delineate socially useful and scientifically relevant research questions in industrial technology, and how they should be tackled methodologically to produce relevant knowledge about the chosen problems,
• assess methodological approaches from ethical point of view, and show awareness of research ethics as an important component of scientific method.

Content

Brief discussion of a number of theoretical assumptions and methodological considerations that are relevant to knowledge production in general and to industrial technology in particular. Orientation of the theoretical points of departure that a variety of methods rests upon. Illustration of how different methodological approaches are related to the cognitive problems they adress, and the kind of knowledge they are seeking. Analyse and critically examine scientific knowledge in industrial technology, in light of methodological and ethical considerations. Application of different qualitative and quantitative methods, including statistics, and conducting a research study.

Instruction

Lectures, seminars, individual reading and writing exercises, computer exercises as well as group work.

Assessment

Written assignments (1 credit), written exam (4 credits), scientific report (4 credits) and active participation in seminars (1 credit).

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.