Research Methods in Global Studies

The course is a stand-alone method course at advanced level.

The course is included in the following programs: 1) Master's Program in Global Studies (S2GST)

A Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 30 credits within the Social Sciences or Humanities.

Applicants must prove their knowledge of English: English 6 from Swedish upper secondary school, or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL or IELTS.

This course introduces students to commonly used methodological techniques and traditions in the social sciences. Following an introduction to ontology, epistemology, and research ethics, students explore and practice different qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. It reflects on enabling and limiting factors of theoretical approaches and research approaches. Students are expected to maintain an active and engaged role throughout the course, as it emphasizes the hands-on application of different research methods through group work assignments. This approach underscores the course’s commitment to active and problem-based learning and the direct application of theoretical knowledge.

After successful completion of the course students shall be able to:

Knowledge and understanding 

• Account for and differentiate between qualitative and quantitative methods and the kind of knowledges they produce, including the limitations associated with various methods; 

Skills and abilities 

• Apply different social scientific methods for data collection and data analysis with attention to their fit with research interest and -questions; 
• Develop frameworks for data analysis;
• Analyze empirical data by applying suitable theoretical and conceptual perspectives and frameworks;
• Critically analyze and evaluate both academic and non-academic sources; 

Judgement and approach 

• Identify and critically reflect on how different ontological and epistemological assumptions shape research, methodological choices and results. 
• Critically reflect on ethical considerations and dilemmas a researcher may encounter throughout the research process.

The main forms of teaching on the course will include group work exercises, tutorials, group-based supervision, lectures and seminars. Certain activities may be conducted digitally.

Language of instruction: English

The course will be examined through the following activities and assessments:

• Digital sit-in exam (1 credit) 
• One group work assignment including both a written and an oral component (3 credits)
• Individual written essay with oral examination (6 credits) 

If a student who has been failed twice for the same examination element wishes to change examiner before the next examination session, such a request is to be granted unless there are specific reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 HF).

If a student has received a certificate of disability study support from the University of Gothenburg with a recommendation of adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment, an examiner may decide, if this is consistent with the course’s intended learning outcomes and provided that no unreasonable resources would be needed, to grant the student adapted examination and/or adapted forms of assessment.

If a course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student must be offered at least two examination sessions in addition to ordinary examination sessions. These sessions are to be spread over a period of at least one year but no more than two years after the course has been discontinued/changed. The same applies to placement and internship (VFU) except that this is restricted to only one further examination session.

If a student has been notified that they fulfil the requirements for being a student at Riksidrottsuniversitetet (RIU student), to combine elite sports activities with studies, the examiner is entitled to decide on adaptation of examinations if this is done in accordance with the Local rules regarding RIU students at the University of Gothenburg.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG); Pass (G) and Fail (U).

• Digital sitting exam is graded U/G (1 credit) 
• Group work assignment is graded U/G (3 credits)
• Individual written essay with oral examination is graded U/G/VG (6 credits) 

In order to obtain the grade Pass (G) for the whole course, students need to receive Pass (G) on all of the required assignments.

In order to obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG), students need to receive the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) on the individual written essay with oral examination and Pass (G) on all other examined assignments.

The course coordinator is responsible for systematically and regularly collecting the students' views of the course, and for making sure that the results of the evaluations in different forms are taken into consideration when developing the course.

The results of and possible changes to the course will be shared with students who participated in the evaluation and students who are starting the course.

To complete the digital sit-in exam, students need access to a computer. In some of the group work assignments, students will work with software tools that require a computer.