English   Danish

2013/2014  BA-HAS_MIP  Method l. Philosophy of science and qualitative methods

English Title
Method l. Philosophy of science and qualitative methods

Course information
Language English
Exam ECTS 7.5 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Bachelor
Duration One Quarter
Course period Second Quarter
Time Table Please see course schedule at e-Campus
Study board
Study Board for BSc in Service Management
Course coordinator
  • Jesper Strandgaard - Department of Organization (IOA)
• Kirsten Andersen
Main academic disciplines
  • Philosophy and philosophy of science
Last updated on 08-08-2013
Learning objectives
  • Explain and discuss basic concepts within the theory of science: central perspectives that regard knowledge production processes based on empirical research.
  • Identify a research object or problem area and propose an operable research question.
  • Discuss and develop different research strategies, appropriate to form research projects that aim to study specific objects and phenomena.
  • Explain, discuss and assess benefits and drawbacks of central qualitative methods and methodological concepts (with a particular focus on participant observation, interviews and document analysis), with reference to relevant research questions.
  • Present written output in a structured and linguistically fluent form.
Course prerequisites
Students not enrolled in BSc in Business Administration & Service Management must document a level in English equal to TOEFL 575, and A level in mathematics equal to Danish level B
Examination
Method l. Philosophy of science and qualitative methods:
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Group exam, max. 3 students in the group
The final exam is a 72-hour group project. The size of the groups should be max. 2-3 students. The group project is followed by an individual, 20 minutes oral exam, which takes the written paper as the point of departure, but that also refers more generally to the concepts and discussions introduced in class and in the course literature.
Size of written product Max. 10 pages
Assignment type Written assignment
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
20 min. per student, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Preparation time No preparation
Grading scale 7-step scale
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and second internal examiner
Exam period Winter Term
Make-up exam/re-exam
Another examination form
Make-up examinations are given as an individual oral exam based on the group project.
Re-take examinations are given as an individual oral exam based on the group project handed in for the regular examination, as well as a supplementary piece, max. 5 standard pages in length.
Course content and structure

Course objective:
The primary objective of the course is to present central qualitative methods and theoretical concepts that are required to carry out empirical business research, and to train the student’s capability of discussing and assessing these.

Course content:
The initial part of the course (2X3 lectures) will introduce the students to basic concepts that regard theory of science and knowledge production within social science research. This part aims to establish an awareness of the concerns and possibilities that different approaches to studying the social may contain.

The remaining part of the course focuses on central qualitative methods, used in business studies. In the class the students are exposed to – and will be actively discussing – three central methodological techniques: participant observation, interviews, focusgroup interviews and document analysis. The course aims to train the student’s ability to use and combine these techniques in a competent manner, and thus to enhance their analytical abilities.
Teaching methods
Lecture, group exercises, and plenary discussions.
Student workload
Classes including workshops 30 hours
Preparation for class 90 hours
Home assignments 14 hours
Exam 72 hours
Expected literature

 A.J. Veal, Research Methods for Leisure and Tourism, latest edition, Prentice Hall Financial Times Pressis available in SL Books at Solbjerg Plads.
 

Please note, minor changes may occur. The teacher will upload the final reading list to LEARN two weeks before the course starts.

Last updated on 08-08-2013