Table of contents

The course is connected to the following study programs

Teaching language

English

Recommended previous knowledge

Passed the first year of a bachelor's programme in Community-oriented Nutrition Work, Public Health Work, Sports and Exercises Science, or similar.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, the student will

  • have knowledge of scientific thinking and working methods
  • be familiar with key theoretical traditions in science
  • be familiar with relevant research designs within qualitative and quantitative research, including intervention research (interventions) and evaluation of interventions
  • have knowledge of relevant methods within qualitative and quantitative research
  • recognise different types of validity in qualitative and quantitative research
  • have knowledge of the strengths and limitations of different research designs
  • have basic knowledge of statistical concepts and analyses
  • be able to perform descriptive statistical analyses, as well as present and interpret descriptive statistics
  • have knowledge of research ethics issues within the subject areas
  • be able to assess relevant academic articles with regard to research design, applied methods and statistics

Contents

Emphasis is placed on theoretical and practical knowledge and skills related to scientific thinking and working methods, as well as scientific methods and statistics.

The following topics are included in the course:

  • Science and research-based knowledge
  • Different scientific theoretical traditions
  • Key research designs
  • Quantitative and qualitative methods in research
  • Validity in research
  • Strengths and limitations of different research designs
  • Descriptive and comparative statistics
  • Presentation and interpretation of descriptive and comparative statistics
  • Analysis programmes for data processing and statistical analyses
  • Research ethics
  • Assessment of scientific works

Teaching and learning methods

The work methods will mainly be web-based through digital modules, but also seminar groups (compulsory) and data labs (compulsory). A detailed overview of mandatory teaching and seminar groups is found in the Canvas semester plan. The course has a workload equivalent to 270 hours.

Examination requirements

Approved work requirements and participation in seminar groups and computer lab work. The work requirements consist of a digital portfolio test in statistics and an assessment of research design and methods in a subject-specific scientific work. See further description in the semester plan on Canvas.

Examinations

3-hour individual written examination under supervision.
Graded assessment.
See further description in the semester plan on Canvas.

Student evaluation

The person responsible for the course decides, in cooperation with student representative, the form of student evaluation and whether the course is to have a midway or end of course evaluation in accordance with the quality system for education, chapter 4.1.

Offered as a free-standing course

Yes. Subject to availability or capacity.

Admission Requirement if given as a free-standing course

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

Reduction of Credits

This course’s contents overlap with the following courses. A reduction of credits will occur if one of these courses is taken in addition:

Course Reduction of Credits
ERN204 – Bachelor's Thesis in Nutrition. 5
IDR204 – Bachelor's Thesis in Physical Education and Sport. 5
HEL205 – Bachelor's Thesis in Public Health Work. 5
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem) Oct. 15, 2026 2:33:08 PM