Course syllabus adopted 2021-02-26 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).
Overview
- Swedish nameForskningsmetodik
- CodeSJO369
- Credits7.5 Credits
- OwnerMPMAR
- Education cycleSecond-cycle
- Main field of studyShipping and Marine Technology
- DepartmentMECHANICS AND MARITIME SCIENCES
- GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail
Course round 1
- Teaching language English
- Application code 01112
- Maximum participants60
- Open for exchange studentsYes
Credit distribution
Module | Sp1 | Sp2 | Sp3 | Sp4 | Summer | Not Sp | Examination dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0116 Examination 7.5 c Grading: TH | 7.5 c |
|
In programmes
Examiner
Per Hogström- Senior Lecturer, Marine Technology, Mechanics and Maritime Sciences
Eligibility
General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Specific entry requirements
English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.
Course specific prerequisites
None.Aim
The purpose of this course is to give the students basic knowledge in the theory of science and ethics of research. The students shall be able to design research projects within the science and social domain. The course is divided into two strands: one dealing with qualitative research methods, the other dealing with basic statistical analysis methods. By the end of the course the students will be able to design empirical studies and to apply different research methods and methods of analysis.Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)
- define and delimit a research question- discuss the benefits and drawbacks of basic data collection methods
- apply basic data collection methods
- interpret and assess the quality of the results
- formulate and organize a discussion
- plan and write a PM for their own research project
- apply general statistical methods in research
Content
The strand of qualitative methods covers the following modules:A1. Theory of science
A2. Choice of topic, method, hypothesis and research design
A3. Literature study
A4. Choice of measures; validity and reliability
A5. Data collcting methods: Interviews and surveys, attitudes and meaning, observation and content analysis
A6. Presentation of research results and writing report
A7. Research ethics
The strand of statistical methods covers:
B1. Probability theory
B2. Scales of measurement, summarizing and describing data
B3. Hypothesis testing, type I and II errors, statistical significance, one and two tailed tests
B4. Samples and populations, confidence intervals, z-tests, t-tests
B5. ANOVA
B6. Correlation
B7. Regression
Besides the theoretical blocks, practical work in a training project will provide hands on experience of research planning, data analysis and research presentation.
Organisation
The course embraces lectures with different examples of research applications and theory. Connected to this, the students are supposed to accomplish different assignments in relation to the theory represented at the lecturers. The course consists of two strands: the qualitative research methods and the statistical analysis methods.Literature
See course homepage.Examination including compulsory elements
Mandatory tasks to pass the course:- Three assignments
- Two computer exercises
- A written report
- Participation at the presentation seminar of the research project
If above tasks are fulfilled, the student has passed the course and obtains Grade Three. To obtain a higher grade, a written examination on the statistical methods needs to be taken.
The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.