Theory of Science and Research Design for Human Geographers
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 10
- Teaching semesters Autumn
- Course code
- GEO320
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
This is a course in theory of science and research design for human geographers. In this course students will critically reflect upon theory of science perspectives and concepts and their implications for research design, as well as contemporary perspectives on the relations between science and society. The course aims to enable students to use such insights and critical reflections in their own Master thesis projects under development.
Through this course, students should get insights into the structure of scientific publications and reasoning including research questions and critical interpretation of results. In essence, it aims to enable students to perform a rational and critical interpretation and discussion of their master project.
During the course the student will develop their master project description, that will end up in milestone 1.
Learning Outcomes
On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge
The student...
- has knowledge of theory of science perspectives and concepts and their implications for research design
- has knowledge about different perspectives on the relation between science and society
- can define a research theme at an advanced level and elaborate it into research aims, objectives and research question
- knows the characteristics of good-quality research publications
Skills
The student...
- can critically reflect upon different perspectives in theory of science relevant for their own work and for the discipline of human geography
- can formulate academic arguments based on different epistemological positions or perspectives
- can outline the implications of different perspectives in theory of science for research design
- is able to carry out a systematic search in the library, in scientific and other databases
- can interpret and evaluate data and literature critically
- can argue scientifically, structure the argumentation and follow good scientific use of references
- can identify ethical issues in a research project and register the project for ethical clearance
- can define and frame an independent research project under supervision
General competence
The student...
- can critically reflect upon theory of science aspects and and societal implications of his/her own research and academic area of expertise, including when communicating across disciplines or societal domains
- can critically reflect upon the relation between science/expertise and society
- can choose a general topic for a geographical research theme, develop it into a research framework with related aims and objectives that can be investigated within various time and resource limits
- can communicate, both in writing and oral, the design of a geographical research project with related aims, objectives and theory
ECTS Credits
Level of Study
Semester of Instruction
Required Previous Knowledge
Access to the Course
Teaching and learning methods
- Total: 7 lectures/Seminars (14 hours) 7 weeks
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
- Project draft (2-3000 words) which seeks to develop the project towards a scientific problem, including important references
- Peer-review exercise
The compulsory activities must be approved in order to take the exam. Approved compulsory activities are valid in the current and following two semesters.
Forms of Assessment
Exam comprises of two parts:
- A project description of 5000-7000 words, containing an elaborate description of theme, aim/justification of the project, scientific problem, a reflection upon relevant theory of science, and a brief outline of research design, methodology and planned schedule.
- Oral presentation of project description (Milestone 1)
All parts of assessment must be passed in the same semester. Grades for each part of assessment and the final grade will be published in Studentweb.
The exam will be given in the language in which the course is taught.
The exam can be submitted in English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish
Grading Scale
Assessment Semester
Assessment in teaching semester.
A retake exam is arranged for students with valid absence according to UiB study regulations § 5-5.
If there is a retake exam for students with valid absence, all students with valid compulsory activity can sign up for the retake exam. If you have the right to take a retake exam and a retake exam is arranged for students with valid absences, you can sign up yourself in Studentweb after January 15.