ME-439 null (Autumn 2024–Spring 2025)

Knowledge

The student:

• has in-depth knowledge of the scientific theoretical basis for knowledge development and the various scientific theoretical directions
• have in-depth knowledge of which research methods are most commonly used within the health professional areas and be able to apply these methods independently
• has advanced knowledge of selection procedures and central main forms of data collection
• has in-depth knowledge of different approaches within qualitative and quantitative methods
• has in-depth knowledge of the prerequisites for generalizing results
• has in-depth knowledge of knowledge-based practice and quality work within specialist nursing

Skills

The student:

• can analyze academic issues related to the scientific theoretical differences that underlie qualitative and quantitative methods
• can design and critically assess research designs in relation to the current issue(s)
• can analyze collected research data within the subject area

General competence

The student:

• can show an understanding of the connection between different scientific theoretical directions, human outlook and method, and be able to communicate professional issues related to choices in these areas
• can give an account of the types of knowledge that different research methods are suitable for producing
• can analyze published studies with regard to methodological issues
• can decide which analyzes should be used in the most common research designs
• can reflect critically on research ethics and methodological issues
• can carry out application processes to the research ethics committee and SIKT - the Knowledge Sector's service provider (regarding personal data)

The subject covers various scientific theoretical directions and various types of qualitative and quantitative research methods as well as the method's theoretical foundation and practical procedures with particular emphasis on application within specialist nursing.

Central themes:

• Forms of knowledge and human outlook
• Science and scientific knowledge
• Different scientific theoretical directions
• The connection between scientific theory - human outlook - method
• Research process and research design
• Systematic literature search
• Choice of topic and clarification of the issue
• Selection and generalization issues
• Collection of data
• Observation
• Qualitative interview
• Evaluation research, action research
• Quantitative surveys
• Experimental and quasi-experimental schemes
• Material from archives and registers
• Longitudinal research
• Analysis approaches
• Quantitative analysis with SPSS course
• Qualitative analysis with Nvivo course
• Research methods within the health professions
• Research ethics and publication ethics

Additional information can be found in the subject booklet, which is made available to students via the learning platform.

Teaching in the subject is conducted online. Presentations of subject matter, assignments and information will be posted on the learning platform. There will be two opportunities for gathering on campus, one at the start and a gathering 4 weeks into the course. The student can participate in these meetings online and/or in discussion forums. The collections are also streamed and published in the learning platform.

The scope of work in the course is estimated at 405 hours.