Research Methods in Child Studies, 7.5 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master´s Programme in Child Studies

Entry requirements

For admission to the course the student must have: A bachelor’s degree in the humanities, social sciences or the behavioural sciences with a major (or its equivalent) in a field relevant to the programme, e.g. anthropology, communication studies, education, history, language studies, media studies, political science, psychology, social work and sociology
and
English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6/B)

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:
- account for the main research methods in Child Studies - both data collection and analysis - including their strengths and weaknesses;
-  apply one research method and reflect upon this application;

- demonstrate knowledge of research ethics in the study of children and childhood;
- account for the main quality criteria for research in Child Studies;
-write a research plan including formulating a research question and select one within stipulated time frame feasible and applicable method for the research question;
- scrutinize, evaluate and discuss other research plans.

Course content

The course covers the main research methods in Child Studies. How research questions influence and direct the choice of methods used to answer queries are addressed. The connection between the research questions, the choice of data collection methods and analysis is discussed critically. Ethical principles and dilemmas in research processes involving children and childhood are especially focused on, as well as aspects touching upon reflexivity and quality criteria. During the course, the student will develop and present a research plan on an independently chosen research problem. The plan must include an in-depth discussion of relevant methods for data collection and analysis. The course also includes scrutinizing, evaluating and discussing the research plans of other students.

Teaching and working methods

Lectures and related discussions take place on campus as well as online on an interactive learning platform. In addition to lectures there are seminars, workshops, and group work online as well as on campus. Between the lectures and the seminars the students independently study the course literature, complete the individual and group assignments, and communicate with other students online. Examining seminars, workshops and group exercises are compulsory.
The student must have access to e-mail and Internet. The course is presented in various multi-media formats. In order to guarantee a positive learning situation online, and, in order for the student to be able to actively participate in the course and communicate with fellow students and the teacher, it is therefore important that the student have access to the correct hard- and software. Information concerning the specifications of the equipment necessary for the course can be found in the study guide.
English is the language of instruction.

Examination

The examinations consist of active participation in seminars, workshops and group assignments on campus and online, as well as through individual written assignments submitted online. Detailed information on the examinations can be found in the study guide.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is carried out in such a way that both men´s and women´s experience and knowledge is made visible and developed.

Department