Course syllabus - Academic writing I. Search strategies, reference management and bibliometrics, 2.5 credits
Information about the course
- Course code: FOUK035
- Host department: Department of Social Science and Humanities
- Valid from: Autumn term 2025
- Established by: Dean of School (until 2025-12-31 after that Head of department).
- Decision date: 2025-03-04
- Last modified: 2025-02-04
- Level of education: Third cycle level
Course objective
The aim of the course is for the doctoral student to be able to apply systematic search strategies and practices, and to use reference management software. The aim of the course is also that the doctoral students should gain knowledge about how bibliometrics can be used to gain an overview of previous research and to summarize it by using bibliometric techniques.
Course content
Search strategies, reference management software, and tools for research field visualization.
Intented learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course the doctoral student should be able to:
- demonstrate an ability to identify information needs, and based on that select relevant databases/sources, formulate an adequate search strategy, implement and document the search, and evaluate the search results.
- utilize reference management software.
- create and evaluate a visualization of their research area using bibliometric indicators.
The intended qualitative targets in relation to the Higher Education Ordinance, appendix 2.
Knowledge and understanding
For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate:
- A1: broad knowledge and systematic understanding of the research field as well as advanced and up-to-date specialized knowledge in a limited area of this field.
Competence and skills
For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate
- B1: the capacity for scholarly analysis and synthesis as well as to review and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations autonomously and critically, and
- B5: the ability to identify the need for further knowledge.
Judgement and approach
For a Degree of Doctor the doctoral student shall demonstrate
- C1: intellectual autonomy and disciplinary rectitude as well as the ability to make assessments of research ethics.
Teaching formats
Lectures, seminars, workshops.
Examination
OBN, active participation in all seminars, 0.5 credits, concerning learning outcomes 1-3, grade fail (U) or pass (G).
SEM, seminar, analysis and presentation of a research field using bibliometric indicators and tools for visualization, 1 credit, concerning learning outcome 3, grade fail (U) or pass (G).
INL, written assignment, outlining and substantiating a successful search in response to the doctoral student's research question, 1 credit, concerning learning outcomes 1 and 2, grade fail (U) or pass (G).
Grade
Examinations included in the course are assessed according to a two-grade scale, fail or pass.
Grades are to be decided by a teacher specially appointed by the university.
A person who has not passed the regular examination shall be given the opportunity to retake the test.
Requirements
To participate in the course and the examinations included in the course, the applicant must be admitted to doctoral studies. Subject to availability, teachers at Mälardalen University that hold a doctorate can be offered to take part of the course.
Selection criteria
Selection of applicants will be made in accordance with the ranking below.
- Doctoral students at Mälardalen University
- Doctoral students at other higher education institutions
- Teachers at Mälardalen University that holds a PhD.