Required prerequisite knowledge

Admission to the Master of Intercultural Studies program.

Relevance within study programme

Compulsory course in the ICSM-program

Learning outcomes descriptors

Knowledge

The student

• has knowledge of different methodologies, their epistemological and ontological presuppositions, and their implications for qualitative research projects within the field of Intercultural Studies.
• has thorough knowledge of methods within Intercultural Studies, among them different qualitative interviewing techniques and ethnographic research methods.  
• has thorough knowledge of ethical and scientific standards for conducting qualitative research.
• has thorough knowledge of the challenges that cultural interpretation and representation pose at all stages of qualitative research practices.

Skills

The student

• can critically assess the implications of methodological choices for own and others– research practices within Intercultural Studies
• can select and apply qualitative methods adequately depending on the research project at hand
• can demonstrate cultural sensitivity and reflective awareness in own research practice and across contexts
• can assess ethical concerns at every stage of the research process and apply ethical standards in own research, including in academic writing.
• can demonstrate dynamic, effective, and persuasive written and oral communication skills carried out in an appropriate style for the communication objective at hand

General competence

The student

• has knowledge of scientific and ethical standards for qualitative research practices within the field of Intercultural Studies and can make justified methodological and ethical choices and assessments.

Content

IKF302 introduces students to methodology in terms of the justification, explanation and understanding of research methods. The course focuses on the ramifications of methodological choices for the research process at large: The students will learn to identify how different methodologies imply theoretical (epistemological and ontological) presuppositions and judgments, and how ethical challenges present themselves at all stages of the research process.

Furthermore, the students will become able to identify how research objectives, research questions, ethical considerations and theoretical frameworks influence the choice of methods in a variety of qualitative research projects within Intercultural Studies.

The course enables students to make qualified and justified choices of methods, and critically assess ethical concerns/ requirements and research results. The students acquire competence in qualitative research work, including practical training in the application of selected methods and research ethics, which prepare them for future research. There will be many opportunities to train methodological assessment and communicative skills, enhance cultural sensitivity and ethical awareness, and understand the relationship between methodological choices and the challenges of cultural interpretation and representation in Intercultural Studies.

Teaching and learning methods

IKF 302 combines lectures, compulsory seminars, and other course requirements with the aim of assisting the students' understanding of, acquisition of and assessment of methodological knowledge and competence in qualitative research work.

Four compulsory seminars help students gain competence in methods and research ethics. The seminars include opportunities for engaging concretely with case studies and practical training in the application of methods, critical assessment of methodological choices, and the process of establishing and analysing data.

The course requirements include a multiple- choice test in research ethics, exercises in peer-review work-methods and research collaboration during seminars. During the course, the students complete an individual, academic log on issues related to the seminars. In sum, this systematically enhances written and oral communicative skills and trains the students in making qualified methodological choices in own research work and assess those of others.

Scope

300 hours

Coursework requirements

• Participate in four compulsory seminars, including here:
  • Seminar 1 and 2: Interviews and ethnographic fieldwork methods followed by self-directed group work (2 days)
  • Seminar 3:  Course in research ethics focusing on how ethical questions permeate all stages of the research process and clarification of juridical requirements, followed by self-directed group work (1 day),
  • Seminar 4: Presentation of own research interest and related methodological and ethical issues. Students also act as prepared discussants on at least one co-student–s methodological presentation (in groups - 1 day).

• Multiple choice-test in research ethics: All students are obliged to carry out online multiple choice-test on research ethics, where the score needs to be at least 80% to be approved.
• Writing an academic log (2500 words): All students will complete an individually written academic log according to a predefined framework. The academic log represents an opportunity to reflect on methodological issues thematised in the lectures and write out results from the seminars, including a presentation of own research interests and related methodological  challenges. The log will be assessed with respect to formal criteria for academic writing.

Grading, coursework requirements

Approved / Not approved

Final assessment

5 hours written exam in an examination location.  

Permitted aids under examination

Bilingual English dictionary or an English-English dictionary

Grading, examination

ECTS grading scale from A to F, in which E or better is necessary in order to pass

Assessment language

Scandinavian or English

Progression requirements

Master students in ICSM must have followed IKF301 and IKF302 to continue on IKF303

Practice

None.

Course evaluation

Annually course evaluation in accordance with the quality assurance system for NLA University College. Students may also give their feedback on the course in the student group/ in class.

Available for Course Students

No.

Digital reading list

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