Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, from an internationally recognised university. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students are expected to be able to:.

• describe how to delineate a relevant research area
• analyze the meaning of the general and the representative in empirical studies
• evaluate the value of certain theories in relation to specific research questions
• evaluate research methods in relation to specific research questions
• create a conceptual framework for a master thesis

Content

This course describes research contexts characterised by complex (wicked) sustainability problems. The course covers the theory of science, insights into biases, ethos, transparency and transdisciplinarity in research. The course includes teaching on study design, qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection, and qualitative methods for analysis. The course focuses on the relationship between research questions, theory and the criteria for choosing methods. Students will have the opportunity to discuss ethical issues related to fieldwork during the course.

Instruction

The course consists of a series of lectures, mandatory seminars and practical exercises, individually and in group. The exercises will provide the necessary feedback during seminar discussions. The language of instruction is English.

Assessment

All written exams and mandatory parts must be approved to pass the course. The course's final grade is based on a weighted rating of all course sections. Possibility to complete non-approved mandatory assignments may be given at the next course opportunity, at the earliest, and only in case of vacancy. 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 University´s disability coordinator. All examinations are in English.