Örebro University School of Business

Course Syllabus

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall
- further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
- develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

The student should after the course:

- be highly skilled with using scientific methods for investigation
- be highly skilled in producing well-structured scientific texts
- be highly knowledgeable with the scientific literature on the topic of the thesis
- have advanced ability to analyse and critically assess scientific texts
- have advanced skills in presentation of scientific investigations.

The course consist of three parts:

1) Planning a scientific inquiry
This part concerns learning how to operationalize a research question into a valid/well grounded research instrument.

2) Conducting a scientific inquiry
This part concerns conducting fieldwork based on the research instrument produced in the previous part.

3) Presenting a scientific inquiry
This part concerns writing a well-structured scientific paper based on the research instrument and the fieldwork produced in the previous parts of the course. This part also includes reviewing another student's paper and communicating the review orally and in writing.

Teaching comprises lectures, seminars, and practical work. Participation in practical work and seminars is mandatory.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

According to regulations on grading systems for first- and second-cycle education (vice-chancellor's decision 2010-10-19, reg. no. CF 12-540/2010), one of the following grades is to be used: fail, pass, or pass with distinction. The vice-chancellor or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special reasons.

Grades used on course are Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG).

Final grade will be translated into the ECTS grading scale. Grading and evaluation criteria are found in the course study guide.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Informatics, Basic Course, 30 Credits; 30 Credits at the intermediate (B) course level within Informatics; and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at the advanced (C) course level within Informatics, alternatively Computer Engineering, 30 Credits, Basic Course; Computer Engineering, 30 Credits, Intermediate Course; and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at the advanced (C) course level within Computer Engineering. This course also requires courses in Informatics, Qualitative Research Methods and Philosophy of Science, Second Level 7,5 Credits, or equivalent, Informatics, Quantitative Research Methods, Second Level 7,5 Credits, or equivalent and Informatics, Project Work, Second Level 15 Credits, or equivalent. In addition, successful completion of the course "English B/English 6" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School or equivalent is required.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Remaining tasks should be completed as soon as possible according to the teachers instructions.


Reading List and Other Teaching Materials

Required Reading

Literature directly supporting the students thesis is to be found by the student. This is typically 15-25 articles concerning the subject field and at least one instructional text on the method chosen.

See this Course Syllabus as PDF