HFER23 - Research Design, Strategies, and Ethics

Course Code:	HFER23
Confirmed:	Feb 05, 2026
Valid From:	Aug 31, 2026

Education Cycle:	Second-cycle level
Disciplinary domain:	Medicine
Subject group:	Therapy, Rehabilitation and Dietary Treatment
Specialised in:	A1N Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Main field of study:	Occupational Therapy

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO)

On completion of the course the student will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

identify and argue for quantitative and qualitative designs and strategies in research studies
identify and address validity and reliability in designing quantitative research studies
identify and address trustworthiness in designing qualitative research studies.

Skills and abilities

design quantitative and qualitative research studies.

Judgement and approach

assess and evaluate the ethical issues of different research designs and strategies.

Content

research designs and strategies in quantitative and qualitative research traditions
validity and reliability in quantitative research
trustworthiness in qualitative research
ethical issues and considerations in research

Type of instruction

The course is given as a web-based course, including lectures, resource seminars and group discussions.

Language of instruction is English.

Entry requirements

Bachelor’s degree (i.e., the equivalent of 180 credits including a course on scientific method and a passed 15-credit undergraduate thesis) within health and social sciences (or the equivalent). Proof of English proficiency is required.

Examination and grades

The course is graded A, B, C, D, E, FX or F.

The students will be examined through participation in two seminars and one individually written report. The examinations are in English.

Registration of examination:

Name of the Test	Value	Grading
Participation in seminar quantitative methods	1.5 credits	G/U
Participation in qualitative methods	1.5 credits	G/U
Individually written report	4.5 credits	A/B/C/D/E/FX/F

Course literature

Please note that changes may be made to the reading list up until eight weeks before the start of the course.

Creswell, J.W., & Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications Inc.

DePoy, E., & Gitlin, L. N. (2020). Introduction to research: understanding and applying multiple strategies (6th ed.). Elsevier.

Iphofen, R. (Ed.) (2020). Handbook of research ethics and scientific integrity (1st ed.). Springer.

The latest editions of the course literature should be used.

In addition: scientific articles and reports depending on main area and chosen research method.

COURSE SYLLABUS