Introduction to media and communication research: Theory of science and methodology

Knowledge

Upon completion of the course, the candidate:

• is familiar with key perspectives in theory of science relevant to media studies research
• can outline the epistemological and ontological positions characterizing important empirical research traditions in media studies
• understands key concepts and research methods for quantitative, qualitative and textual approaches in media studies
• has a basic understanding of research ethics

Skills

Upon completion of the course, the candidate:

• can formulate a research question and outline how this question can be addressed through empirical research
• understands the possibilities and limitations offered by different methods
• can identify epistemological and ontological positions inherent to a research project

General competence

Upon completion of the course, the candidate:

• has a grasp of what empirical research means in theory and practice
• understands the connection among different components of a research project, like research question, method, data collection and processing
• has acquired sufficient basic competence for designing, later in one’s programme of study and under the guidance of a supervisor, one’s own research project

The course is available to students admitted to HFM2-MVIT, HFM2-POLK and HFM2-SCUL.

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.

The teaching in this course consists of 6 lectures. Attendance is strongly recommended but not required.

Students must submit and successfully pass 2 mandatory assignments in order to complete the course.

The compulsory assignment will be assessed as approved/not approved. Approval of the assignment is a prerequisite for being allowed to sit for the examination.

If you get ill or have other valid reasons for not being able to meet the deadline of the compulsory activity, you must apply for valid absence or postponed deadline.

Read more about compulsory activities at the Faculty of Humanities and find link to the application form.

4 hours take-home exam.

The compulsory activities must be approved before the exam.

• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Withdrawal during an examination / Resitting an examination