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AH2178 Research Methodology and Communication Skills 7.5 credits

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Application

For course offering

Autumn 2024 Start 28 Oct 2024 programme students

Application code

50464

Headings with content from the Course syllabus AH2178 (Autumn 2021–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course disposition

The course consists of lectures and tutorials with student participation in Project Work, Seminars, and written Exam.

The main goal of the course is to prepare the students for research and scientific writing. The course intends to give the students the practical skills that are required to succeed with the degree project including the ability to :

  • Explain the historical development of scientific theoretical concepts, research methods and underlying ideas
  • Identify and discuss critically, both orally and in writing, the basic scientific theoretical and methodological methods within technological, natural and social sciences.
  • Design and formulate a plan for a smaller research project and identify the most appropriate research method
  • Explain rules for scientific communication: contents, language, expression, copying and quoting the work of others
  • Identify and critically review collected information, data, theoretical and methodological problems in research reports and scientific articles within the student's own subject study field. Assess these considering relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects

Course contents

  • The historical development of theory of science, basic concepts and terms
  • The research process, hypothesis testing, experimental design
  • Methods of measurement, observations, data collection, sources of information
  • Qualitative and quantitative data analysis
  • Research ethics
  • Rules for scientific writing
  • Peer review of scientific articles
  • Formulate and write a research plan
  • Project management

Intended learning outcomes

The main goal of the course is to prepare the students for research and scientific writing. The course intends to give the students the practical skills that are required to succeed with the degree project.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

  • Explain the historical development of scientific theoretical concepts, research methods and underlying ideas
  • Identify and discuss critically, both orally and in writing, the basic scientific theoretical and methodological methods within technological, natural and social sciences.
  • Design and formulate a plan for a smaller research project and identify the most appropriate research method
  • Explain rules for scientific communication: contents, language, expression, copying and quoting the work of others
  • Identify and critically review collected information, data, theoretical and methodological problems in research reports and scientific articles within the student's own subject study field. Assess these considering relevant scientific, societal and ethical aspects

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in civil engineering, geography, technical physics, computer science, statistics, economics, or mathematics, and Eng B/6 according to the Swedish upper secondary school system.

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • PRO1 - Project Work, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • SEM1 - Seminars, 3.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Exam, 1.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, 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.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

No information inserted

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • 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.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Built Environment

Education cycle

Second cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Albania Nissan; bibbi.nissan@abe.kth.se