Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Social Science
The course provides an introduction to social science methods, both quantitative and qualitative. It is an internet based course, with video lectures. The lectures are provided in English, as well as the course literature.
The course provides an introduction to social science research methods, both quantitative and qualitative. This course presents and discusses key concepts in social science methods, how methods are structured and how qualitative data (interviews and observations) and quantitative data (statistics) are produced.
The course addresses how to create a research design, the importance of a well-developed good research question, the relationship between theory and empirical work, how to conduct research in order to produce data, how data is interpreted and analyzed, differences and similarities between qualitative and quantitative methods, and writing as an analytical process.
The course literature and the lectures are in English. The obligatory task and the home exam may be submitted in English or Norwegian.
Upon successful completion of this course, students should have acquired the following knowledge, skills and general competence:
Knowledge:
- Students shall have the overview over different methods in social sciences, and be familiar with the content in various methodological approaches and strategies of analysis.
- Students shall be able to describe central concepts in qualitative and quantitative research.
Skills:
- Students shall be familiar with relevant tools and techniques in qualitative and quantitative research. Students will, after completion of the course, be able to read a scientific article and understand the content.
- Students will be able to formulate research questions, design a research project and decide which methods are the most feasible to apply to answer the research questions.
- Students will also be able to evaluate the ethical challenges associated with research activities in social science.
Competence:
- Students shall be able to plan and carry out a simple research task, and have the ability to understand and read literature in social science and presentations of research in the media, with the skills to critically evaluate the results which are presented.
A good grasp of mathematics and English will be an advantage.
Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:
ME122S - Introductory Courses in qualitative and quantitative methods in Social Science - 10 credits
ME119S - Introductory Courses in qualitative and quantitative methods in Social Science - 10 credits
ME118S - Introduction to research methods in social sciences - 10 credits
ME118LS - Introduction to qualitative and quantitative methods in social sciences - 10 credits
MET1007 - Introduction to Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Social Science - 10 credits