Research Methodology for Secondary Analysis, Systematic/Scoping Review, Meta- Analysis/Metasynthesis
This methodological course deals with secondary analysis, systematic/scoping review, meta-analysis and metasynthesis.
The aim of the course is to improve the knowledge and skills of doctoral candidates who will use these research methods as parts of their research.
It equips the candidates with basic knowledge and skills so they can plan and carry out high-quality research in connection with their professional development.
It also deals in particular with key aspects of writing the research protocol; registration of the literature review protocol on the PROSPERO; principles for conducting searches in national and international databases; introduction and access to national data sources (such as HUNT, TIMMS or PISA databases); critical assessment of primary studies and risk of bias; data mining; data analysis and knowledge synthesis using both qualitative and quantitative methods; interpretation; reporting and dissemination of research findings.
After completing the course
Knowledge
Candidates:
- Have advanced knowledge about and are able to master secondary analysis, systematic/scoping review, meta-analysis and metasynthesis regarding research questions, research design and the study process and reporting findings.
- Can assess the appropriateness and application, as well as contribute to the development of these research methods in research projects in accordance with the candidate’s relevant academic background.
Skills
Candidates:
- Can apply knowledge and identify new relevant issues, formulate research questions and conduct high-quality studies by collecting required data and adapting analysis in the light of objectives with the use of both primary and secondary data.
- Can deal with academic/interdisciplinary questions and develop their own research design model.
General competence
Candidates
- Can account for the strengths and weaknesses of these research methods with regard to the use of findings in the subject area.
- Can show a critical approach to scientific articles that use these research methods, especially in terms of validity and reliability.
- Can identify new relevant ethical issues and conduct their research with professional integrity and contribute to innovation and innovative processes.
- Can participate in academic and interdisciplinary research projects.
Coursework: The course includes one piece of coursework that must be approved before taking the final examination. Grading: approved/not approved. In pairs, candidates are tasked with reading an article that has used one of these research methods in accordance with their relevant academic backgrounds. They must discuss and write a critical report (1000 words) on the research question/hypothesis, conceptual framework, research design, data collection and data analysis. It must be submitted within one week after the course has ended. The coursework must be approved before taking the examination. Grading: approved/not approved.
Final assessment as an individual home examination (2 weeks):
The candidates are individually tasked with writing a research protocol (10 pages) within health/pedagogy that consists of the research question/hypothesis, the conceptual framework, research design and reason for selection, data sources, data analysis, validity and reliability process, and how the results will be reported. It must be submitted within 2 weeks in the digital examination system Inspera.
The home examination must be approved in order to receive a final course grade.
Internal and external examiners are used.
