RSNE4320 – Specialization in qualitative methods
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
This portfolio-based course will provide practical knowledge about different qualitative methods and their combination, data analysis and presentation of results, which can be used in the empirical research of the Master's thesis. Each topic will be composed of a lecture focusing on a specific method and a practical seminar to work with the method. For completing the course, each student needs to create an individual portfolio consisting of the work done at the seminars. Each assignment that will go into the portfolio will cover how to design a study related to the lecture/seminar topic, how to produce and analyze its data, and how to write the report.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course, you should have obtained knowledge about:
- the different qualitative designs in relation to the object of the study
- modalities of qualitative data production
- strategies of data analysis
- ways of presenting qualitative results
- issues related to ethics, sustainability and fairness in special needs education empirical research
Skills
After completing the course, you should be able to:
- design and execute a qualitative research study using the most suitable method or combination of methods
- assess the quality, sustainability and fairness of an empirical qualitative study in special needs education
- use the knowledge in qualitative research for the Master's thesis
General competence
After completing the course, you should:
- have competence in deciding the most suitable qualitative research design
- have competence in ethical approaches to qualitative research
- be able to design, execute and communicate sustainable research practices
Admission to the course
Requires admission to the Master in Research in Special Needs Education. This course is also open for international exchange students at Master's level.
Formal prerequisite knowledge
RSNE4012 or equivalent.
Recommended previous knowledge
RSNE4011 and RSNE4013 or equivalent.
Teaching
The teaching is comprised of lectures and seminars.
This course has compulsory components:
- Portofolio
The compulsory components must be completed and approved in order to sit the exam and are valid for three years.
Refer to the guidelines for attendance in compulsory teaching sessions.
Examination
Essay (reflection paper about the portofolio).
Language of examination
You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Pass/fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
Students with an approved reason for absence or who do not pass the ordinary exam will be given the opportunity to sit a postponed exam/resit exam. The postponed exam/resit exam is usually held within three months after the ordinary exam.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.
Last updated from FS (Felles studentsystem)
Oct. 15, 2026 3:34:17 PM