Design and Methods

The course will provide knowledge about and expertise in:

•Research questions and question hierarchies

•The relationship between research questions, epistemology, design, methodology and research ethics implications

•Research designs – quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods designs

•Key methodological concepts - such as operationalisation, validity and reliability, induction and deduction, etc.

A master's degree of 120 credits is normally required. Students on the PhD programme Science of Professions are prioritised. The course can also be taken by students in other PhD programmes. In addition, participants must either have a proposal for a PhD thesis, or a outline for a research project, that they can use and continue working with during the course.

Knowledge
The candidate

•greatly advances the knowledge within the own academic field and masters different research designs and methodology

•can evaluate the expediency and application of different methodological choices and challenges related to different types of research questions and empirical data.

•have in-depth knowledge about reliability and validity requirements in quantitative and qualitative research.

Skills
The candidate

•can formulate and further develop an adequate relationship between research questions, research design, research ethics implications and research methodology of a high international standard.

•can conduct research as well as explain and communicate the choice of research design, data collection and analysis method for the own project.

•can handle complex academic issues and critically analyse, discuss and challenge research methodology related to the own and others’ research.

General competence
The candidate

•can identify new relevant ethical issues and carry out research with scholarly integrity

•can critically discuss and communicate own research in relation to research designs -and methods

•can manage complex interdisciplinary assignments and projects

No tuition fees. Semester fees and cost of course literature apply.

Compulsory

The course combines several teaching and learning methods. The teaching alternates between lectures, student presentations and seminar activities with feedback and discussion. In addition, compulsory coursework is carried out that is related to one’s own research project. Compulsory attendance.

Teaching Spring 2027:

Week 4: Monday 25.1 + Tuesday 26.1. + Wednesday 27.1 – All days kl 09:00 – 14:00
Week 8: Monday 22.2 + Tuesday 23.2. – Both days kl 09:00 – 14:00

Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer, is considered cheating.

Assessment Description

Assessment Methods:

OD – Mandatory Attendance

All scheduled teaching sessions are compulsory.
Students must attend at least 80% of the classes.
Students whose absence is due to illness and documented with a valid doctor’s certificate may be granted a compensatory assignment, provided that their overall attendance rate is between 60% and 80%. The form and scope of this assignment will be agreed upon with the course coordinator.

AK1 – Written and Oral Presentation of Own PhD Project

By 11 January 2027, the student must submit a note on Canvas titled:
“What is the core of my project?”
The note should describe the central research questions, methodological challenges, and methodological choices in the student’s PhD project.
Format: Maximum 1,000 words including references, 12 pt font, 1.5 line spacing.
During the course gathering in January, the student will give an oral presentation of their project based on the submitted note.

AK2 – Oral Presentation of a Self-Selected PhD Dissertation

During the February course gathering, the student will give an oral presentation on the design and methodology of a self-selected PhD dissertation.
The presentation should be based on a review form, which will be distributed during the course.
The presentation, in the form of a Power Point, should be submitted before the seminar.

AK3 – Written Note as Preparation for the Oral Examination

After the course gatherings, the student will revise and further develop the note “What is the core of my project?” submitted for AK1.
Format: Maximum 1,000 words excluding references, 12 pt font, 1.5 line spacing.
The note should critically articulate and justify the methodological foundations of the student’s PhD project and demonstrate how the philosophical worldview assumptions, research approach, research design, and specific methods are conceptually connected and mutually reinforcing.

MU – Oral Examination Based on Own Project

The oral examination will take place between Monday 17 March - Wednesday 19 March, 2027.
The exam is individual and lasts 30 minutes, with one external and one internal examiner.
The submitted note (AK 3) will serve as the basis for the oral examination.
The first 15 minutes are allocated for the candidate’s presentation of the note. If desired, the presentation may be supported by a short note or PowerPoint.
The remaining time is reserved for questions from the examiners.

Important:

All work requirements (AK1, AK2, and AK3) as well as the OD must be approved in order for the candidate to be eligible for the oral examination.
The oral examination counts for 100% of the final grade.
The final grade is Pass or Fail

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:

PRO9013 - Design and Methods - 5 credits

Jessica Marianne Aspfors