Research Methods, 6 credits

Admission to semester 2:
Part 1: Research methodology, 3 credits and completed field studies in the course Nurse's profession and nursing as science (1SJ010) as well as Component 3: Clinical skills in the course Anatomy and physiology (1SJ019).

The general the aim of the course is that students receive basic knowledge of scientific methods and understand how they form the basis for research results and for evidence-based nursing.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

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

• identify research questions of relevance to nursing
• describe and explain the most commonly used types of study designs and methods for sampling, data collection and data analysis
• explain how research results may form the basis for evidence-based nursing

Skills and abilities

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

• plan, conduct and present and evaluate a group project 
• search for and identify identify scientific articles of relevance to nursing
• use scientific language, write clearly, and use appropriate reference systems

Values and perspectives
On completion of the course, students should be able to:

• critically review and evaluate current nursing research in relation to the research process
• evaluate ethical aspects of nursing research in relation to the most commonly used designs and methods

• The concept evidence-based nursing
• Formulating a research problem and purpose
• Research design
• Methods for sampling and data collection in qualitative and quantitative research
• Basic descriptive and analytical statistics
• Basic qualitative analytical methods
• Analysis and review of scientific studies in relation to the research process
• Use of scientific databases to find information
• Principles of research ethics
• Project within group collaboration

The working methods of the course intend to support the student's self-governing and collaborative learning and to train a scientific approach which implies active knowledge acquisition, problem-solving and critical reflection.

The course is based on lectures, seminars, reading, workshops and a digital test. The collaborative learning takes place in the form of several group-based projects which are described during the seminars.

The course examinator determines how absence from compulsory learning activities can be compensated. Until the student has participated in the compulsory course activities (or compensated any absence with assigned tasks in accordance with instructions from the course examinator) the final study results can not be reported. Absence from a mandatory course activity could mean that the student cannot do the activity until the next time the course is offered.

Distance learning is web-based and is based on independent and collaborative learning. The course uses a variety of pedagogical methods including individual study assignments, project work, work in groups, virtual discussions, webinars, workshops and lectures. Teacher support is offered via web-based learning management system. The number of physical course meetings on course location is limited to at most 2 days/7.5 credits not including examination.

Course completion is assessed through an individual written digital examination in an examination room. The grading scale is Pass/fail.

In order to pass the course the student must demonstrate achievement of the course's learning outcomes by passing the course exam and by actively participating in compulsory course activities (seminars).

Student who do not pass the regular examination are entitled to re-take the examination at five more occasions. A student who has not achieved a passing grade after taking the examination three times can take parts of the course or the whole course again Being able to retake all or parts of the course is subject to availability If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination is given. Submission of a blank exam is counted as a submitted examination. If a student registers for but does not participate in the examination, it does not count as a submitted examination. An electronic examination that has been opened via the learning management system counts as an examination session even if the examination is not submitted. Late submissions of examinations are not accepted. Students who have not submitted on time are referred to the next examination session.

If the course has ceased, changed considerably in content, or substantially changed its reading list, the student may take three additional tests (excluding regular test) on the earlier contents or the previous literature for up to one year after the course changes have been made.

The course evaluation will be conducted according to the guidelines that are established by the Board of Higher Education.