Application deadline

Type of course

This subject is an obligatory course of  the Master's programme in International Fisheries Management.

The course can also be taken as a singular course.

Admission requirements

Application code: 9371

Entrance requirements as for the M.Sc. programme in International Fisheries Management.

Course content

In this course, students acquire the knowledge and skills required to plan a research project, including how to write a research proposal. The course focuses on the initial phases of the research project, including construction of strong research questions, research design, and data collection methods. The course invites understanding of important theoretical, ethical, and technical aspects of the research process, including the ability to assess critically the strengths and limitations of research projects and the knowledge claims they support.

In addition, the course provides the knowledge and skills needed in preparing for and doing the research for the master thesis. The course also encourages students to explore potential research topics, approaches, and methodologies for their own master thesis projects within fisheries and aquaculture issues. While the course may be useful for students within different disciplines, the course focuses specifically on research projects with strong societal relevance.

Objectives of the course

Students who have successfully completed the course will have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

• Have basic knowledge of the philosophical debates underlying research methodologies in fisheries and aquaculture sciences.
• Have thorough knowledge of research design and planning, including the key components and effective composition of a research proposal. 
• Have thorough knowledge of basic data collection methods relevant for fisheries and aquaculture research.
  

Skills

• Can apply basic research tools in the design of limited research or development projects.
• Can assess and manage ethical issues associated with research in fisheries and aquaculture research.
• Can critically asses and analyse different information sources and use these as part of a research project.
  

Competencies:

• Can plan a limited research or development project and write a strong project proposal to document and justify it.
• Can collaborate effectively with others in disciplinary and culturally heterogeneous environments.
• Can communicate effectively about different research approaches in the context of fisheries and aquaculture sciences.

Language of instruction and examination

Teaching methods

The course is committed to student-active learning approaches, facilitating active participation from students. The main learning activity in the course is centered around each student writing a project proposal for a master thesis project.

This is organized as a portfolio, parts of which are submitted, commented, and revised through the semester, with the completed research proposal forming the basis of assessment. All learning activities cover knowledge, skills or competencies that are required for the completion of a strong project proposal. A series of workshops on specific methods and skills is part of the course.

Assessment

Portfolio assessment with submission deadlines of three partial submissions and a final submission of the completed portfolio. Students will get feedback on and be allowed to revise partial submissions before submission of final portfolio.

The portfolio consists of:

• Partial submission 1
• Partial submission 2
• Partial submission 3
• Final submission, consisting of Partial submission 1, Partial submission 2, Partial submission 3

The portfolio’s final grade will be given after the Final submission. The grading scale is A-F, where A-E is passed, and F is failed.

Coursework requirements: 

The following work requirements are obligatory:

• A critical assessment of a previous master thesis (presented orally: 2-4 students per group)
• Completion of 4 out of 6 workshops on research approaches, research design, and specific data collection methods
• Peer evaluation and feedback for 2 partial portfolio submissions

A re-sit exam will be arranged in the next semester. The re-sit exam will be to submit a revised version of the Final submission.

Recommended reading/syllabus