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• • INF5220

INF5220 - Qualitative research methods

Course content

• Action research, case study, ethnographic research, grounded theory.

• Interviews, observational techniques, video documentation.

• Analysis of interactions; analysis of field observations, materials, and field notes; analysis of texts.

Learning outcomes

• To provide an understanding of research issues and skills in qualitative research methods that can be used in masters and doctoral thesis work and in system development projects.

• To gain experience in qualitative research methods in the field, carrying out initial observations in projects relevant to domains of students' interests.

• To learn about an object of inquiry from multiple perspectives (cross-cultural, multi-disciplinary, multi-professional perspectives), by participating in working groups for the field research section of the course, and from qualitative methods that highlight the varying perspectives of different actors (in the field).

• To gain introductory experience in analysis, interpretation, and writing based on field data.

Admission

The course number is limited to 40 (INF5220 and INF9220 together).

If the number of enrolled students is higher than 40, they will be ranked as follwed:
1) Phd students who has the course as mandatory
2) Master students at the Department of Informatics who has the course approved in their study plan
3) Master students at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences who has the course approved in their study plan
4) Master students at the Department of Informatics
5) Others

Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.

International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.

Prerequisites

Recommended prior knowledge

Bachelor degree in computer science, information systems or similar. No other prerequisites.

Overlap

10 credits against INF5220 - Qualitative research methods. 6 credits against INF-QUAL.

Teaching

2 hours of lectures per week. Discussion and group work. Presentation of articles and one group assignment must be submitted. Rules for mandatory assignments.

Exam information

Oral Exam (or written if the student number is high). Presentation of articles and the group assignment must be accepted in order to take the exam. General information about the exam.

Assessment and grading

Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .

The Course auditor is Frode Guribye.

An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.

Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes

This subject does not offer new examination in the beginning of the subsequent term for candidates who withdraw during an ordinary examination or fail an ordinary examination. For general information about new examination, see http://www.mn.uio.no/studier/admin/eksamen/utsatt-og-ny-eksamen/index.html and http://www.mn.uio.no/english/studies/admin/examination/retaking-examinations/

Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes

The course is regarded equal to INF5220 when practicing considering exam regualtions.

A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.

Other information

It is strongly recommended to attend the first lecture since it will be given important information.

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