IMER Research Methods and Minor Thesis

The course has two aims.

1. To introduce the students to research methods, academic writing, and independent research. This is done by a module covering the most common research methods and by writing a minor thesis within one of the research fields presented during module two and three.
2. 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 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

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 more practical elements. The course prepares the students for the minor thesis that comes last in the course.

Module 2 and 3

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 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. Each student will also oppose on another student’s thesis.

Syllabus autumn 2025

Earlier syllabuses

The university provides all students who are participating in, or have completed, a course to express their experiences and views on the course through a course evaluation which is organized at the end of the course. The university will collate the course evaluations and provide information about their results and any actions prompted by them. The results shall be made available to the students. (HF 1:14).