ITI46514 Scientific method and theory (Autumn 2016)
Facts about the course
- ECTS Credits:
- 15
- Responsible department:
- Faculty of Computer Science
- Course Leaders:
-
- Cathrine Linnes
- Harald Holone
- Teaching language:
- English
- Duration:
- ½ year
The course is connected to the following study programs
Mandatory course in the master programme in applied computer science.
Lecture Semester
First semester (autumn).
The student's learning outcomes after completing the course
Knowledge
The student is knowledgeable about central methods and theories within the field of applied computer science, and different perspectives on the use of informatics in the society. This includes:
- Research design and experiment techniques
- Statistical methods
- Methods for design and evaluation of information systems
- Social science methodologies
- Media science methodologies
- Research and developent activities at the faculty and its partners
The student is familiar with publishing channels relevant to applied computer science, different types of publications, their roles and functions.
Skills
The student is able to:
- assess scientific literature within the field of applied computer science
- use and review scientific references
- use relevant statistical methods for analyzing sets of numerical data
- use methods from social sciences and work with observation and interviews
- use methods for design and evaluation of IT systems
- think critically about the use of information technology deployed in organizations and in the society in general
General competence
After examination, the student has a sufficient understanding of applied computer science and the faculty's research and development activities. The student also has a better understanding of the use of IT in our society.
Content
The course contains a number of seminar-based lectures from the researchers at the faculty and guest lectures from our partners. Some lab activity with relevant tools and application of methods is included.
Forms of teaching and learning
Lectures, presentations of scientific work, and lab excercises.
Workload
Four 2-days sessions during daytime, a total of 8 days. Between the sessions, supervision are given.
Coursework requirements - conditions for taking the exam
The student must present 2-4 scientific papers during the semester.
Examination
Individual oral exam.
Individual oral exam based on the curriculum (scientific publications which have been discussed in the course). Duration 20-30 minutes. No aidings tools allowed.
Assessment on the A - F grading scale.
Course evaluation
This course is evaluated by a
- Mid-term evaluation (voluntary)
- End evaluation (compulsory)
The lecturer compiles a report based on the evaluation forms filled in by the students and his/her own experience with the course. The report is the discussed by the study quality committee of the faculty of Computer Sciences.
Literature
The curriculum is collected during the semenster, based on literature used by lectures throughout the course. The list will be published on the course home page.