IMER Research Methods and Minor Thesis

The aim of the course is twofold. The first half of the course aims to introduce the students to two core research fields within IMER research. Main theoretical and methodological perspectives within the fields are presented and discussed. The modules will also include a more general discussion on issues relating to the questions of what constitutes a research field and how to review a field.
The first half also includes a generic discussion on how to write an overview of a defined field of research through a literature review.
The aim of the second half of the semester is to introduce the students to research methods, academic writing, and independent research, first with a module covering the most common research methods, and second, by writing a minor thesis within one of the research fields presented during the first half of the course. The aim with the minor thesis module is to make the students transform the knowledge given in the course into a minor individually written thesis, through problem formulation, study of previous research, choice and application of relevant method and theory, analysis of material and presentation of findings.
The course consists of four modules á 7.5 credits.

Module 1 and 2
Two core research fields within IMER research are presented. The two fields can change between semesters. During the modules the main theoretical and methodological perspectives are presented for each field. In this way a variety of perspectives are presented each semester. The main activities during these modules are lectures and seminars.

Module 3
The aim of the module is to introduce the students to the essentials of methodology and methods in the social sciences and humanities. The course combines a theoretical approach to general questions of research and knowledge, with practical hands-on investigation. The course prepares the students for the minor thesis that follows immediately after this course.

Module 4
This is a thesis module where the student shall write an individual independent work. The module is organized around group supervisions where the students get supervised by a teacher at the same time as they will engage in peer learning. At the end of the course the students will defend their thesis in an opposition seminar. They will also oppose on another student’s thesis.

Syllabus autumn 2025

Earlier syllabuses

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