This course consists of the part that constitutes the difference between the courses FAK3024/FAK3136 (4,5 credits) from the courses FAK3137/FAK3138 (7,5 credits). This part is specific for doctoral students and does not correspond to any part of the master level courses.

The student will write and present an essay on a theoretical or methodological problem within the student's own area of research. The student will also critically evaluate and discuss such essays by other PhD-students.  

After having completed the course the student should be able to:

·         identify and critically discuss fundamental theoretical and methodological problems within the PhD-student's area of research,

·         identify and critically discuss specific theoretical and methodological problems within the PhD-student's own research,

·         identify and critically discuss specific theoretical and methodological problems within others' research.

Three essay meetings, with submissions for each. The aim is to take a look at your own research from a methodological perspective and write an essay about this. For this reason we recommend a year of research before starting this part of the course.

You may also want to revise lectures and literature from the master level course.

The course includes three mandatory essay meetings. For each meeting there is a mandatory submission, and for the final two meetings mandatory peer-review. Before  the first meeting you submit an abstract where you describe a methodological problem you wish to write about. In the first meeting you present your first draft and get peer feedback. In the final meeting you present your final version.

Note that each submission has a strict deadline. If you miss a deadline, you must start over in another period.

Outline of the essay submissions (detailed information in the Canvas course room):

Submission 1 - short essay proposal / abstract (100-300 words).

Submission 2 - first draft of essay (at least 3ooo words).

Submission 3 - final essay (3000-3500 words).

Schedule on: www.kth.se/schema. Choose "course" and search for the course code. 

Expected workload: 8 hours per week. If you wish, you may follow along with the video lectures to remind you about the course content. You are also welcome to attend the introductory lecture and the two flipped classrooms on campus, although these are strictly not part of your course. Time and date for these will be announced on Canvas.

It is assumed that the PhD student has taken at least 4.5 credits at master level in theory and methodology of science.

Revise course content. If you have not taken one of our master level courses (AK2030-AK2050), AF2023 or DA2205: contact course administration.

There is one main course text:

• Justified Method Choice - Scientific Methodology for Scientists and Engineers by Till Grüne-Yanoff. Based on the video lectures.

In addition, there are three supplemental texts:

• Some Issues in the Philosophy of Technology, by Sven Ove Hansson.
• On Being a Scientist: Responsible Conduct in Research, which is an excerpt from a text by the National Academy of Sciences.
• Ethical Thinking by Jesper Ahlin.

There is also one optional text, mainly targeting the same topics as the main course text:

• The Art of Doing Science by Sven Ove Hansson.

All are available in the file format pdf from the Canvas pages. They cannot be bought as physical books, but you are welcome to print them. On the Canvas page “Reading instructions” you can see which sections to read for each lecture.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

P, F

• UPP1 - Essay, 3.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Essay ( UPP1 )

Active participation in three meetings, three essay submissions and peer feedback. The final version of the essay is graded by a senior teacher. This essay can be passed, failed or you might be asked to revise to reach the criteria for passing.

Failing to submit or failing the final version of the essay means you have to re-take the essay part in another period. Attendance in all meetings is mandatory.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.