11 pre recorded lectures, 4 seminars and exam in the first of the stated study period, 3 essay meetings in the second stated period. A student can choose to take the entire course in one period, please contact course responsible teacher.
FAK3138 Theory of Science and Research Methodology, Social Science 7.5 credits
Information per course offering
Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.
Information for Spring 2025 Start 14 Jan 2025 programme students
- Course location
KTH Campus
- Duration
- 14 Jan 2025 - 2 Jun 2025
- Periods
- P3 (4.5 hp), P4 (3.0 hp)
- Pace of study
25%
- Application code
61373
- Form of study
Normal Daytime
- Language of instruction
English
- Course memo
- Number of places
Places are not limited
- Target group
- No information inserted
- Planned modular schedule
- [object Object]
- Schedule
- Part of programme
- No information inserted
Contact
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus FAK3138 (Spring 2024–)Headings with content from the Course syllabus FAK3138 (Spring 2024–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )
Content and learning outcomes
Course disposition
Course contents
The following is an incomplete list of topics covered in the course.
- Scientific knowledge
- Hypothesis testing
- Observations and measurements
- Experiments
- Models
- Statistical reasoning
- Causes and explanations
- Qualitative methods
- Economic methodology
- Risk and risk assessment
- Research ethics
Intended learning outcomes
After having completed the course, the student should, with regards to the theory and methodology of science, both orally as well as in writing, be able to:
- Identify definitions and descriptions of concepts, theories and problem areas, as well as identify the correct application of these concepts and theories.
- Account for concepts, theories and general problem areas, as well as apply concepts and theories to specific cases.
- Critically discuss the definitions and applications of concepts and theories as they applies to specific cases of scientific research.
- 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.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Entry requirements for PhD studies.
Literature
You can find information about course literature either in the course memo for the course offering or in the course room in Canvas.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
P, F
Examination
- SEM1 - Seminars, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
- TENA - Written exam, 3.0 credits, grading scale: 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.
A student may request a home exam, if it is not possible for the student to attend the written exam because the student is, at the point of the request, residing outside of Sweden and will be residing outside of Sweden for at least twelve months following the request. The examiner approves or denies these requests.
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
This course does not belong to any Main field of study.
Education cycle
Third cycle
Transitional regulations
Former module DEL1 can be replaced by SEM1
Former module EXA1 can be replaced by TENA
Former module TEN1 can be replaced by TENA
Supplementary information
To apply for the course, please fill in the form available on this link: https://www.kth.se/form/application-form
Please note! This course replaces F1N5114 Theory of Science and Research Methodology, Social Science 7,5 credit
Schedule can be found by searching for course code on www.kth.se/schema