AU kursuskatalog arkiv

U SMEC Videnskabsteori og metode ( forår 2011 - 5 ECTS )

Rammer for udbud

• Uddannelsessprog: dansk
• Niveau: B.Sc. (engineering)
• Semester/kvarter: 6 th semester
• Timer per uge: 4 hours
• Deltagerbegrænsning: -
• Undervisningssted: Herning
• Hovedområde: Det Samfundsvidenskabelige Fakultet
• Udbud ID: 26191

Formål

The main purpose of the course is to give to the students a basic understanding of different scientific approaches to problem-solving. Besides, the students are introduced to the relationship between scientific approaches and methods used to collect empirical information and data. The course also introduces students to professional cultures related to problem-solving and the conflicts and misunderstandings, that may rise between the different perspectives. The students will also learn to assess alternative scientific approached usability  and pertinence when defining solution for specific issues.

Indhold

The course introduces the students to five scientific approaches to problem-solving and presents their ontological, epistemological and methodological positions. The aim of this teaching is to give the students a thorough understanding of scientific theory, so that they can orient themselves to find a scientific approach fitting to the question or the problem they have to solve. They should also be able to include other professional perspectives in their analyses and proposals so that they can build a bridge between the different interests at stake in a company and create a platform for better collaboration. Due to the rather theoretical and abstract features of the subject the teaching is largely incorporating interaction and discussion. It is assumed that the students are preparing themselves for the lessons by reading the texts at home.

The focus will be on following main areas:

• Learning on various scientific approaches such as positivism, postpositivism, system theory, hermeneutic, social constructivism.
• Understanding of the consequences of scientific positions at ontological, epistemological and methodological levels.
• Understanding of the consequences scientific theory, for the concrete use of methods in connection with the resolution of a concrete problem
• understanding of the link between scientific theory and the way a scientific article is organised and written
• understanding of the link between different professions and their methodological approach to problem-solving

Faglige forudsætninger

-

Underviser

Martine Buser & Henning Slavensky

Undervisnings- og arbejdsform

Lectures, students presentations, group work and discussion

English

Litteratur

Articles, books chapters, power point slides

Bedømmelse

E and BDE don't have the same conditions for this course

BDE

Presentation of a article or a book chapter during the course

The course ends up with an oral exam of 20 minutes. Examiner: Lecturer and internal examiner.

Exams:

The exams is organized in two equal parts

1. Students have to submit the problem formulation and the methods section of their loop project as a base for discussion at the exams. Here the students are expected to argument and reflect over their own orientation of the problem, the scientific perspectives and methods they have chosen.
   
2. Beside a list of questions related to the course content are provided to the students before the exams. During the exams students draw one question that they have to answer to.