Theoretical frameworks and ethics in educational research

The course focuses on theoretical frameworks and traditions in academic research, and attends to researcher positioning, professional research, knowledge forms in research and development work related to education and research ethics. Traditions included in the course are phenomenology, hermeneutics, structuralism, poststructuralism, postmodernism, feminist epistemologies, Indigenous methodologies, posthumanism, affect studies, and new materialisms.

Knowledge:

The candidate

• has outstanding knowledge of various theoretical frameworks and epistemological issues and positions
• can evaluate interpretations and research designs in educational research, according to theoretical and philosophical perspectives
• has thorough insight into forms of knowledge that are relevant to research related to education and the teacher profession
• can consider ethical opportunities and challenges related to education research

Skills:

The candidate

• can discuss theoretical positioning in relation to research about education and the teacher profession
• can identify and handle ethical opportunities and challenges in research related to education
• can formulate and discuss questions related to education in a qualified way

General competence:

The candidate

• can identify and handle ethical issues in research within their area
• can relate theoretical and epistemological positioning to different research designs
• can participate in debates on theory in profession-oriented educational research at international levels
• can convey research through recognized national and international publication channels

Session-based course over two semesters from autumn to spring. Each seminar session goes over 2-3 days. Teaching and learning activities include lectures, discussions and student presentations, individually and in study groups with the course literature. Each student designs their own reading list according to given criteria and includes the mandatory literature in the course. The course participants are expected to be conducting research projects while taking the course. The course requirement for attendance is 80%.

Assignments can be submitted in Norwegian or English.