Introduction to Scientific Method and Statistics

On successful completion of the course, the student will

• have knowledge of scientific thinking and working methods
• be familiar with key theoretical traditions in science
• be familiar with relevant research designs within qualitative and quantitative research, including intervention research (interventions) and evaluation of interventions
• have knowledge of relevant methods within qualitative and quantitative research
• recognise different types of validity in qualitative and quantitative research
• have knowledge of the strengths and limitations of different research designs
• have basic knowledge of statistical concepts and analyses
• be able to perform descriptive statistical analyses, as well as present and interpret descriptive statistics
• have knowledge of research ethics issues within the subject areas
• be able to assess relevant academic articles with regard to research design, applied methods and statistics

Emphasis is placed on theoretical and practical knowledge and skills related to scientific thinking and working methods, as well as scientific methods and statistics.

The following topics are included in the course:

• Science and research-based knowledge
• Different scientific theoretical traditions
• Key research designs
• Quantitative and qualitative methods in research
• Validity in research
• Strengths and limitations of different research designs
• Descriptive and comparative statistics
• Presentation and interpretation of descriptive and comparative statistics
• Analysis programmes for data processing and statistical analyses
• Research ethics
• Assessment of scientific works

Emphasis is placed on theoretical and practical knowledge and skills related to scientific thinking and working methods, as well as scientific methods and statistics.

The following topics are included in the course:

• Science and research-based knowledge
• Different scientific theoretical traditions
• Key research designs
• Quantitative and qualitative methods in research
• Validity in research
• Strengths and limitations of different research designs
• Descriptive and comparative statistics
• Presentation and interpretation of descriptive and comparative statistics
• Analysis programmes for data processing and statistical analyses
• Research ethics
• Assessment of scientific works

Individual written home exam over 2 days.

The home exam will cover an assessment of research design, applied methods and statistics in a subject-specific scientific work. See further description in the semester plan on Canvas.

Assessment expression: Graded grade.