Theory and Method in Scientific Work, 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Special Educational Needs Programme

Entry requirements

45 HE credits approved in the Special Education Programme or equivalent.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the course, the student should have:

- The knowledge and ability to independently plan and motivate a scholarly study
- Advanced knowledge of research methods and scientific starting-points
- The ability to formulate and argue for a problem formulation within a problem area relevant to the profession
- Developed a scholarly approach
- The ability to critically review, analyse and give response to scholarly texts

Course content

Knowledge of both quantitative and qualitative methods in the research process is covered in the course. Knowledge of scientific starting-points and the different stages of the research process are also covered; definition of a problem, literature search, data collection and processing, analysis and interpretation of data. Continuously during the major part of the course, the student produces a minor essay as a preparation for a future scholarly assignment.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching takes the form of field studies, literature studies, lectures, student active seminars and oral and written assignments, individually and in groups.

Examination

The course is examined through oral and written presentations of field and course assignments, individually and in groups.

Applies to all courses regardless of grading scale.

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

If the course has a three-graded grading scale (U - VG), following applies:

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

The following applies to courses that include a compulsory component:

• 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.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.  

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

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 conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

About teaching and examination language

The teaching language is presented in the Overview tab for each course. The examination language relates to the teaching language as follows: 

• If teaching language is Swedish, the course as a whole or in large parts, is taught in Swedish. Please note that although teaching language is Swedish, parts of the course could be given in English. Examination language is Swedish.
• If teaching language is Swedish/English, the course as a whole will be taught in English if students without prior knowledge of the Swedish language participate. Examination language is Swedish or English (depending on teaching language).
• If teaching language is English, the course as a whole is taught in English. Examination language is English.

Department