Aim
The main goal is that the student will be able to formulate the need of an investigation, for example a market analysis, to conduct this and also to be able to judge the results and qualities (for example the information- and decision values). The two perspectives that permeate the course are to give the student both a theoretical and a practical competence about the above mentioned in industrial business situations.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to use the main qualitative and quantative investigation methods, models and concepts in order to independently (and in a team) identify, formulate, conduct and critically interpret an information- and knowledge needs that exists in Swedish and internationally companies and public organizations.

• independently and reflectively be able to identify and formulate a preliminary need of an investigation and relate this to a complete investigation plan where different approaches and data collection methods are applied.

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

• have developed a reflective capacity and skills to formulate and conduct a qualitative and quantitative investigation for a company or organization.

• be able to identify a relevant method of investigation (for a chosen assignment) and be able to formulate the main investigation areas incl key questions.

• be able to critically assess the results of an investigation in relation to a decision situation in a company or public organisation e.g. concerning market or technology questions.

• to be able to professionally present investigations before a company or public management.

• the purpose and construction of an investigation (i.e. research).

• the main methods and instruments of how to conduct an investigation.

• statistical approaches and instruments to be conducting an investigation, for example a market analysis.

• quality assessments of the information and knowledge value of these methods, analyses, and instruments in for example decision situation in a company or public organization.

Contents
The course contains the following principal elements: a) Identify and be able to define an investigation need and to be able to decide the relevant method/approach of investigation (i.e. qualitative and quantitative) and b) formulate relevant fields of investigations, c) to choose a relevant instrument for investigation; e.g. survey, interview, focus group literature study and d) to be able to individually and in a team collect primary and secondary data. Finally, to be able to independently e) concentrate, categorize and critically assess the collected data material concerning e.g. a customer group need of a product, service or technique.

The pedagogical working format in the course includes both individual work as work in teams and seminars concerning the above. Cases are also used as well as guest lectures. The above course elements are permeated by the fact that the students are given the opportunity to create their own proposals to investigations as well as create a knowledge how the students critically and reflectively can judge an achieved investigation result.

Literature
Bjerseth, J and Ek, L. Internet Compendium 2007 (latest edition) including articles and relevant links.
Bjerseth, J and Ek, L. Case material and lecture notes (displayed through the home page).
Denzin, N. Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry. Sage: Thousands Oaks.
Lekvall, P och Wahlbin, C. Information för marknadsföringsbeslut, IHM förlag, (latest edition).