Data Collection in Japanese Studies

• Ability to critically reflect on the relevance of different research methodologies.
• Ability to identify and collect primary sources and data that are necessary to answer a given research question.
• Ability to assess the relevance and validity of those sources.
• Depending on your chosen methodology for collecting and analyzing data, you will practice how to interpret Japanese texts (fiction and non-fiction), how to conduct fieldwork in Japanese, how to find historical texts in archives, how to select a corpus and utilize it, or how to work as a researcher in Japan.

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Admission to the MA programme Japanese Studies.

There is no mandatory teaching in this course. You will discuss data collection and chosen methodologies with your supervisor in order to obtain individual advice regarding suitable methodology for your chosen research topic.

Compulsory activities

1. Obligatory supervision: It is mandatory for you to be in contact with your supervisor throughout the course (either through meetings, Skype, phone or e-mail in case you or the supervisor are abroad).
2. Oral assigmnet: You must give a presentation of your main findings for your co-students towards the end of the semester. Students who are abroad can do this via Skype or similar means.
3. Written assignment: A written account of the results of your work with the concrete primary sources or data that you will use in your MA thesis. Depending on the nature of the material the word count will vary, but the volume of this assignment should be comparable to the term paper. Depending on the nature of your research, this may be a selection of Japanese sources, with partial resumes or translations; a field report; or some other format to be decided in dialogue with your supervisor. The account should include an analysis of and a reflection upon your sources. The account should be handed in in Canvas by the designated deadline.

An approved oral presentation is valid for the next two semesters that the course is taught. The oral presentation and the written account should both be in English. An approved oral presentation and written account is valid for the next two semesters that the course is taught.

You will find more information about the requirements for the compulsory assignment(s) and the submission deadline in Canvas.

All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.

Absence from compulsory activities:

• Here you will find information about compulsory activities at the Department of Culture, Religion, Asian and Middle Eastern Studies.

It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.

More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:

• Common guidelines relating to compulsory activities - University of Oslo (uio.no)

The approved compulsory activity remains valid for the two following semesters in which the course is offered. However, exceptions may arise if the course undergoes changes in its assessment format, teaching, or other significant modifications.

Access to teaching

A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.

Semester essay

The assignment should consist of 10 pages. One standard page is approximately 2300 characters without spaces, including references. The front page and bibliography are not included in the page count.

The paper needs to account for and discuss one or more methods that you will employ in your MA thesis, reflecting on the strengths but also the limitations of your chosen methodology. It also has to contain reflections on this process based on at least two relevant academic publications regarding research methodology.

Detailed information regarding the semester essay will be announced on Canvas.

You must submit the exam in Inspera - see guides for digital exams

You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.

All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.

You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Resitting an examination