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Blekinge Institute of Technology
Department of Strategic Sustainable Development
Revision: 3
Reg.no: Dnr: BTH-4.1.1-1701-2017
Course syllabus
Research Methodology for Sustainability
Research Methodology for Sustainability
5 credits (5 högskolepoäng)
Course code: SL2537
Main field of study: Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability
Disciplinary domain: Technology
Education level: Second-cycle
Specialization: A1F - Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Language of instruction: English
Applies from: 2017-08-01
Approved: 2017-05-26
1. Descision
This course is established by Dean 2017-03-01. The course syllabus is approved by Head of Department of Strategic Sustainable Development 2017-05-26 and applies from 2017-08-01.
2. Entry requirements
The course Strategic Sustainability Development, 12.5 ECTS and 2.5 ECTS in Leading in Complexity must have been passed.
3. Objective and content
3.1 Objective
The purpose of the course is for the student to (1) develop deepened knowledge about and understanding of different research methods and approaches, specifically within sustainability research, (2) develop competence and skill to critically assess and use appropriate methods and approaches, and (3) prepare for her/his master’s thesis within Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability.
3.2 Content
The course contains an overview of different methodological approaches and methods for research in general and specifically for research for sustainability. The course provides a basic overview of concepts and phenomena in science theory(such as ontology, epistemology, bias, reliability, validity and science ethics). A particular emphasis is put on qualitative methods such as interview methods, action research methods, case study methods, and methods of design science. The course also focuses on working with delimitation and positioning of thesis topics, formulation of research issues, organization of literature studies, choice of suitable methods for research work and formal requirements of a scientific text.
4. Learning outcomes
The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:
4.1. Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Identify key concepts and issues in sustainability science.
- Describe various research methods relevant to Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability.
***Abilities and skills***
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Conduct a literature review and to critically examine resources for their relevance and scientific contribution to her/his (developing) thesis project.
- Formulate relevant research questions and create a research plan for her/his (developing) thesis project by appropriately choosing and integrating different methods for research for Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability.
***Judgment and approach***
On completion of the course the student will be able to:
- Reflect on and contextualize a specific topic in relation to a systems perspective for Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability.
- Discuss key issues in sustainability science, including methodological choices in the field.
- Argue for the choice of research methods in relation to her/his (developing) thesis project.
- Discuss ethical considerations in research and specifically in relation to her/his chosen thesis topic.
5. Learning activities
The teaching in the course includes lectures, workshops, supervision, group dialogues, individual assignments, group work and individual reflection and reflection in groups. The lectures give a general view of many different methods in the area of interdisciplinary sustainability research. These are deepened, applied, integrated and reflected upon through the other learning items. The student will practice how to contextualize specific topics in a full systems perspective on sustainability and to critically reflect upon research for sustainability. Teachers with many different scientific backgrounds, professional experience and perspectives take part in the course. The students’ different educational backgrounds are also taken advantage of in the learning process. They are trained in receiving and giving criticism from many different scientific perspectives. Supervised group dialogues aim at cross-fertilization of the individuals’ different knowledge of methodology.
6. Assessment and grading
Modes of examinations of the course
| Code | Module | Credit | Grade |
| 1710 | Written assignment 1 | 1 credits | AF |
| 1720 | Written assignment 2 | 1 credits | AF |
| 1730 | Written assignment 3 | 1 credits | AF |
| 1740 | Project assignment 1 | 1 credits | GU |
| 1750 | Project assignment 2 | 1 credits | GU |
The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.
The final grade is weighted from the partial grades on the respective examination items. A Pass on all items is required to obtain a final grade. If a student does not submit an assignment on time or fails a submitted assignment, he/she is given two more opportunities during the ordinary academic year of the student and one opportunity per year thereafter. Unless a valid reason has been presented and approved by the course examiner, a late submission or a re-submission of a written assignment can at most receive grade B, since the student did not demonstrate ability to perform the assignment within a specific timeframe. All submission dates are determined by the course examiner.
The information before a course occasion states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.
An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.
7. Course evaluation
The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.
8. Restrictions regarding degree
The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.
9. Course literature and other materials of instruction
Savin-Baden, M., & Major, C. H. 2013. Qualitative
research: The essential guide to theory and practice.
Routledge.
ISBN-10: 0415674786
ISBN-13: 978-0415674782
Compendium with articles and other material.
10. Additional information
This course replaces SL2513
This is not a legal document. If you would like a copy of the legal decision regarding this course plan, contact the registrar at Blekinge Institute of Technology.