Course syllabus - Visual methods – Data collection and analysis, 3,5 credits

Information about the course

Course code: FHVV030
Host School: School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Valid from: 2025-01-13
Established by: Dean of School
Decision date: 2024-04-09
Level of education: Third cycle level

Course objective

The purpose of the course is for the doctoral student to develop in-depth knowledge of visual methods, with a focus on the collection and analysis of visual materials. The course provides an orientation in processing and understanding multimodal materials, i.e. materials that include both textual and visual elements.

Course content

The course describes the origins and uses of visual methods in qualitative research. The focus is on different ways of collecting, analyzing and presenting visual and multimodal material. Furthermore, the course deals with ethical aspects in studies based on visual materials.

The course discusses: the researcher's role during the collection of visual materials, motives for selection, data collection and analysis; an overview of established methods, such as photovoice and photo-elicitation; practical tools for documentation and storage; analytical methods such as formal analysis, semiotic methods, discourse analytical methods and notation methods; the relationship between theoretical approach and choice of methods for analysis; and ethical aspects of collecting visual materials and image copyright issues.

Intented learning outcomes

After completing the course, the doctoral student should be able to demonstrate:

awareness of the researcher's role in collecting visual materials
2. knowledge of how to make appropriate methodological choices for the collection of visual materials
ability to choose analysis methods in relation to research questions and theory
in-depth insights into ethical challenges in research based on visual materials

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:

A2: familiarity with research methodology in general and the methods of the specific field of research in particular.

Competence and skills

For the Degree of Doctor, the doctoral student shall demonstrate

B2: the ability to identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision critically, autonomously, and creatively, and to plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research and other qualified tasks within predetermined time frames and to review and evaluate such work,
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, and
C2: specialised insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used.

Teaching formats

The course consists of lectures, seminars and workshops.

Examination

SEM1, Seminar, 1 credit. Oral presentation and discussion at seminar. (learning
outcome 1).

INL1, Written, individual assignment, 2,5 credits. (learning outcomes 2-4).

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.