Entry requirements

120 credits including 90 credits in technology or computer science. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course the student shall 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,
• identify 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 explain the importance of research ethics within scientific methods,
• descibe and discuss the different steps in a research process, from problem formulation to analysis of data.

Content

Overview discussion of methodological starting points and methodological balances that are relevant for knowledge formation in general and more specifically in industrial engineering and management. Illustration of how different methodological approaches stand in relation to the knowledge problems they respond to, and the type of knowledge they seek. Critical examination of scientific knowledge in industrial engineering and management against the background of the methodological considerations on which this knowledge is based. Discussion of the entire research process from problem formulation to analysis of data, both in terms of qualitative and quantitative methods.

Instruction

Seminars.

Assessment

Active participation in seminars (2 credits) and written exam (3 credits).

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 targeted pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.

Other directives

The course cannot be included in a Degree together with 1TE077 Qualitative and Quantitative Methods or 1TS317 Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for Industrial Analytics.