MASA205 Social science research and evaluation methods in practice

Contents and structure

Content and structure In this course, students will acquire a thorough understanding of research and evaluation in practice, related to community work. Ensuring the participation of those concerned in research is central to community work and in this course. The weighting of participation is based on ethical considerations, and in addition, participant perspectives can strengthen the validity and relevance of research and evaluation. All research starts by delimiting the field of interest and formulate research questions. In social work case studies, action research and process evaluation are widely used. These research and evaluation methods provide different frameworks for ways of finding, creating and analyzing data. In this course, students gain practical experience with research and evaluation. The students participates in the choice of methods and implementation of data production.

Central themes:

• Design of professional development projects, evaluation and research design in community work projects

• Different forms of evaluation design

• Various forms of participation in research, co-research and evaluation

• Practical implementation of data production through observation and interview.

Learning Outcome

Learning outcomes

A student with a completed course must have the following total learning outcomes defined in knowledge, abilities andgeneral competence:

Knowledge:
The student ...

• has in-depth knowledge of various forms of evaluation and research design in social work andprofessional development project

• has in-depth knowledge of action research, group-based interviews and observation methods

• has broad knowledge of various forms of participation in research, co-research and evaluation

• has in-depth knowledge of methods for data production through observation and interviewhave in-depth knowledge of the structural and socio-cultural conditions for knowledge production in general,and for knowledge production in social work in particular 

Skills:
Students ...

• knows how to formulate professional challenges and research questions

• knows how to plan and choose a method for a professional development work, evaluation or research project

• knows how to invite and involve to participation in research and evaluation

• knows how to carry out data production through interview and observation

General competence:
The student…

• knows how to be critical of built-in preconditions and ethical challenges in research and evaluation

• knows how to reflect on the choice of participation and co-research, and what benefit it can provide can critically reflect on structural and socio-cultural conditions for knowledge production in general, and for knowledge production in social work in particular 

Entry requirements

None

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Teaching methods

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is in the second semester. Lectures, exercises, assignments in groups, self-study

Compulsory learning activity (work requirements)

Compulsory learning activities

The following compulsory learning activities must be approved before the student can sit for the exam:

1. Students must participate in at least one practical exercise with a research or evaluation method in a group.

Preparation for group presentation, reflection on work process.

Approved work requirements are valid for 2 consecutive semesters.

Assessment

Form of assessment

Examination Oral examination, group

The students present a reflection on the work process. The presentation should be about 20

minutes.