Critical and reflexive methodological practices in interdisciplinary research, 7.5 credits

Entry requirements

Entry requirement for studies on third-cycle education courses

• second-cycle degree, or
• 240 credits in required courses, including at least 60 second-cycle credits, or
• acquisition of equivalent knowledge in some other manner

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the students will be able to:

• describe and explain the role of critical and reflexive methodological practices in interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences research
• describe and discuss research ethical principles and practices relevant to a variety of methodological approaches
• critically reflect on critical and reflexive methodological practices in relation to different types of methodologies
• reflect on how critical and reflexive methodological practices are relevant to the student’s own research

Contents

The course offers an introduction to critical and reflexive methodological practices in interdisciplinary humanities and social sciences research. It provides opportunities to reflect on aspects such as the intertwinement of method and theory, research ethics, positionality and emotions, and credibility. Particular attention is given to how these issues are relevant before, during, and after being in “the field”, highlighting the importance of critical and reflexive methodological practices at all stages of the research process. It does so by working with examples from a range of different empirical fields and methodological approaches. The course also explores how critical and reflexive methodological practices are relevant to the students’ own research.

Educational methods

Educational methods applied in this course are literature studies, lectures, panels, seminars, and workshops.

Examination

The examination consists of

• Individual written assignments
• Active participation in seminars through general discussion and individual preparation, in accordance with instructions in the study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

Grading

Course literature

The list of course literature is determined by the course coordinator in collaboration with the involved teachers.

General information

Change of examiner

Students who have failed the course or part of the course twice are entitled to request another examiner for the following examination occasion.