Critical and reflexive methodological practices in interdisciplinary research, 7.5 credits

Kritiska och reflexiva metodologiska praktiker i tvärvetenskaplig forskning, 7.5 hp

7FTEM25

Course level

Third-cycle Education

Description

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 participants’ own research.

The course is part of the mandatory courses for PhD students at Tema T, but also welcomes a limited number of other PhD students. If you are interested in enrolling, please e-mail Kristina Trygg by June 15th. In this e-mail, please shortly describe your PhD project and why you would like to join the course. Enrolment will be confirmed by June 22nd.

The course will take place on Campus Valla, Linköping University, Sweden (without an option for digital participation). Participants are expected to attend all sessions. The course is free of charge, but participants need to cover their own travel expenses.

The course consists of an introductory session, four thematic blocks, and a concluding session. Each block combines practical perspectives from senior scholars with seminars about mandatory readings, as well as relevant readings identified by the participants themselves.

INTRODUCTION: Critical and reflexive practices. Monday 21st of September, 10-15


BLOCK 1: Method and theory, theory and method. Monday 28th of September, 10-15
BLOCK 2: Research ethics and ethics in practice. Monday 5th of October, 10-17
BLOCK 3: Positionality and emotions. Monday 12th of October, 10-17
BLOCK 4: Credibility practices. Monday 19th of October, 10-17
CONCLUSION: Reflection and panel discussion. Friday 23rd of October, 10-14

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

Two-grade scale

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.