Print Syllabus

Syllabus

LB0043 Scientific Methods, Tools and Thesis Writing, 15.0 Credits

Vetenskapliga metoder, verktyg och uppsatsskrivande

Subjects

Horticultural Science Agricultural Science

Education cycle

Master’s level

Advanced study in the main field

A1N

Grading scale

Language

English

Prior knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to 120 credits, including 90 credits in one of the subjects/educational areas Social Science, Natural Science or Technology, and English 6.

Objectives

The aim of the course is to be familiar with qualitative and quantitative methods for research, including literature searches, text and numerical analysis, writing, layout and written and oral presentation.

On completion of the course students will be able to:

• give an account of, analyse and critically discuss methods that can be used to work on situations, questions and problems of importance in their field, 
• plan, describe and present appropriate methods and tools within different approaches, and discuss alternative solutions, in a given context, 
• analyse and critically discuss the relevance of information within their area of interest, and present an outline for the content of their master’s thesis, 
• formulate a plan of work for their thesis, 
• present their work orally and in writing.

Content

Subject-related content:

Students will be prepared for scientific research via scientific literature, lectures, student assignments and seminars. The course will teach students how to: plan field work, select a methodological approach to a research question, plan the process of retrieving and structuring data, and carry out the subsequent critical analysis of material and ideas. The course will also prepare students for writing and revising their thesis.

Examples of methods with which students will become acquainted are semi-structured interviews and manual or computer-aided text analysis, statistical analysis, as well as various methods that depend on the students’ choice of subject.

The course will:

• include practice in designing appropriate research and development processes in accordance with the research topic selected, 
• discuss ethical research issues, 
• provide procedures for data collection and analysis, 
• familiarise students with methods and tools within applied sciences, 
• provide students, individually or in pairs, with the possibility to try methods and tools in practice, 
• develop skills for thesis writing according to the chosen methodology. 

Implementation:

The course adapts different techniques to support learning and discussion:

Lectures, literature studies, written assignments, seminars, and presentations.

The course focuses on the following generic competences:

Critical thinking, problem solving, scientific methods, and use of technology, oral communication, written communication, independence and time management.

These elements are mandatory:

Seminars and presentations.

Collaboration with the surrounding society is indirect and depends on the projects that the students suggest and the methods can be tested on real cases, particularly when they are develpoed into master’s theses.

Grading form

The grade requirements within the course grading system are set out in specific criteria. These criteria must be available by the course start at the latest.

Formats and requirements for examination

The examination for the course consists of a written individual project/process plan for student thesis work and a preliminary Introduction and Methodology/Methods section, as well as a compilation of relevant literature. To obtain the course credits, approved exercises, oral and written presentations of project/process plan and a preliminary Introduction and Methodology/Methods section, plus approved participation in compulsory components will be required.

• If a student has failed an examination, the examiner has the right to issue supplementary assignments. This applies if it is possible and there are grounds to do so.

• The examiner can provide an adapted assessment to students entitled to study support for students with disabilities following a decision by the university. Examiners may also issue an adapted examination or provide an alternative way for the students to take the exam.

• If this syllabus is withdrawn, SLU may introduce transitional provisions for examining students admitted based on this syllabus and who have not yet passed the course.

• For the assessment of an independent project (degree project), the examiner may also allow a student to add supplemental information after the deadline for submission. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Other information

• The right to participate in teaching and/or supervision only applies for the course instance the student was admitted to and registered on.

• If there are special reasons, students are entitled to participate in components with compulsory attendance when the course is given again. Read more in the Education Planning and Administration Handbook.

Responsible department

Department of People and Society