ME-638-1: Advanced Methods in social science research on digitalization
This two day DIGIT course/workshop at the University of Agder (UiA) introduces the participants to selected methods for exploring digital environments and offers them the opportunity to deepen and apply advanced research methods during the workshop.
When: 17-18 Feb, 2025
Where: UiA, Campus Kristiansand
Registration: https://nettskjema.no/a/474159
Deadline: Jan 15
Language: English
ECTS Credits: 5
The course has a maximum capacity of 20 participants.
The course is open for DIGIT and non-DIGIT members. DIGIT member will have priority access.
For DIGIT members, it is also possible to attend the course without completing the course assignment and receiving ECTS credits.
Content
Understanding complex modern societies and in particular digital environments and communication require advanced methodological skills and the ability to design mixed and multi-method approaches.
The course will provide participants with an introduction to selected, advanced research methods such as Social Network Analysis, Netnography, Visual Discourse Analysis, Online Surveys, Participatory Action Research (e-PAR) and Critical Realist Case Studies. The course will outline specific problems of data selection, processing, and analysis. The course will combine methods and conceptual approaches from a variety of social science disciplines and thus prepares participants to conduct empirical work in inter- and transdisciplinary settings.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course, the student will have
a comprehensive overview of methodological concepts and analytical tools
got an understanding of how to use and implement advanced methods in their own PhD projects
applied selected methods and experiences specific challenges of selecting, processing and analyzing data
Teaching and learning methods
Instruction will comprise:
Workshop given by lecturers and guest lecturers
Student presentations of their research papers
Feedback of each student's paper
Assessment methods and criteria
Brief summary report, reflecting on methodological design (opportunities) for own PhD project (2-3 pages), pass /fail
Financial support
For DIGIT participants residing outside Kristiansand, DIGIT will cover expenses related to travel and accommodation. For travel we cover a maximum of 2500 NOK. Once your place in the course is confirmed, contact us for more details.
Course leader - Alexander Ruser
Alex is professor of sociology at the UiA with a special interest in political sociology, environmental sociology and the sociology of knowledge.
From September 2022 he has been the director of the Centre for Digital Transformation (CeDiT) at UiA.
He holds a PhD in Sociology from the Max-Weber-Institute of Sociology at Heidelberg University and was a Dahrendorf Postdoctoral Fellow at the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, the London School of Economics and Political Sciences and a visiting fellow at Punjab University, Chandigarh.
Current research projects focus on the role of “science in society”, the social & political role of think tanks, the impact of scientific expertise on climate politics and climate change scepticism.
Please feel free to contact the DIGIT coordinator should you have any practical questions.
For questions related to the course content, please contact Alexander Ruser.