EDU4150 – Social Science Research
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
Major course components include
- planning social research
- the natures of qualitative, quantitative and mixed research approaches
- comparative education research
Learning outcome
The course aims to provide you with an introduction to social science research as applied to education.
Upon successful completion of the course you are expected to:
Knowledge
- understand the theories and rationales of qualitative, quantitative and mixed research approaches, and their relevant philosophical considerations
- understand philosophical, theoretical and methodological issues and challenges in doing comparative education research
- have basic knowledge on the processes involved in planning social research
Skills
- be able to identify significant topics for research and formulate justified research objectives
- be able to formulate clear research questions and/or hypotheses
- be able to identify appropriate research strategy and design
- be able to identify levels and units of comparison
- be able to identify substantive, theoretical, and/or methodological issues and challenges in doing comparative education research
Competence
- demonstrate critical and reflective thinking, in oral and written forms, required for independently planning comparative education research and for reviewing scientific literature
Admission
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
The course is a compulsory part of the Master’s Programme in Comparative and International Education.
All students in the 1st semester of the programme have equal access to the course. Other applicants may be considered if there is capacity.
Only students who have been admitted to the course may attend the lectures, seminars and examination.
Teaching
The teaching of this course is based on lectures and seminars linked to group exercises.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
At the conclusion of the course, you will participate in a mandatory 6 hours written school examination. The written examination is the basis for the final course grade. The written examination will be evaluated by two examiners.
Students who fail the examination have the possibility to retake it the following semester.
There is a mandatory 80 percent attendance requirement for this courses. If you do not fulfill the mandatory attendance requirements, you must submit a written request to apply for an additional assignment prior to passing the course. The application must document reasons for absence beyond the your control.
Use of sources and citation
You should familiarize yourself with the rules that apply to the use of sources and citations. If you violate the rules, you may be suspected of cheating/attempted cheating.
Examination support material
This is an open book examination. Students are allowed to use the course literature, notes and dictionaries during the exam.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
It is possible to take the exam up to 3 times. If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline or during the exam, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
The course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.