Interdisciplinary Research Design
Tvärvetenskaplig forskningsdesign

IMEN95, 10.0 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: 2025/26
Faculty: Faculty of Engineering LTH
Decided by: PLED W
Date of Decision: 2025-04-09
Effective: 2025-05-05

General Information

Main field: Environmental Management and Policy Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, has second-cycle course/s as entry requirements
Mandatory for: XA_EMP2, XA_MESPOM2
Language of instruction: The course will be given in English

Aim

The aim of the course is to give the students knowledge of interdisciplinary research design and of different ways to produce empirical research. This shall support the student in individually developing their own interdisciplinary and applied research project, which shall be presented in the form of a convincing research proposal for a M.Sc. thesis. Emphasis is placed on principles for interdisciplinary research design, the logic and explanation behind different methodological choices, and the skills, as well as judgement and approach, that characterise an interdisciplinary researcher. The course is designed to strengthen students’ ability to identify research-worthy problems, conduct a literature review, define questions for applied and interdisciplinary research, as well as select the methods that would enable them to fittingly answer those questions. Upon completing the course, students should be familiar with the aims of empirical research, characteristics of scientific inquiry, central concepts relating to research design and methodology, and several commonly used research approaches in the broad field of interdisciplinary/sustainability science research. Students should also have developed an understanding of how choices related to research design and methodology are linked to theory and conceptual definitions, as well as an understanding of ethical aspects related to research. Students should be able to apply this knowledge to make informed decisions in the development of their own research projects and demonstrate the ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of research designs with a particular emphasis on alignment between the research questions and/or hypotheses, selected methods, collected data, and analysis.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe key concepts and principles related to research design, methodology and construct operationalization and integrate these in the development of their individually written thesis proposal;
• demonstrate the ability to describe and contrast different approaches to research design, methodology, data collection, and data analysis, as well as the ability to assess when different approaches are viable and meaningful;
• be able to describe and apply criteria for the evaluation of a research proposal or research study focusing on the relations between problematization, research aim, research questions/hypotheses, and methodology.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to write a convincing research proposal for a M.Sc. thesis project featuring an interdisciplinary and applied approach;
• be able to describe and apply key principles for a systematic review of relevant literature;
• be able to discuss ethical aspects of choices related to research design and the use of research findings;
• demonstrate the ability to problematize an individual research query and be able to describe and apply this process as a means to generate novel research questions in writing;
• be able to orally present an individual research proposal and explain one’s choices concerning research design;
• be able to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of research proposals, with a particular emphasis on the ability to critically evaluate the appropriateness of different methodologies to test alternative hypotheses/answer research questions and construct various arguments, supported with relevant evidence;
• demonstrate an ability to plan and execute course assignments within given time limits. 

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and the ability to apply relevant ethical guidelines;
• critically reflect the possibilities and limitations of research and the responsibility of the individual for how it is ethically used;
• identify the need for further knowledge. 

Contents

The course consists of several lectures and workshops that focus on key concepts, principles, and elements of research design and discuss examples of the different approaches. The lectures and workshops will also cover topics such as research design, methods, literature review, theories and concepts, as well as ethics in research design. These learning activities will also teach students to critically read and evaluate research papers.

During the course, the students will work on developing their own research ideas. This process will be supported by peer feedback and small-scale workshops where students discuss their proposals with peers and teachers. At the end of the course, students will have developed their own written research proposal and have the opportunity to present and defend it.

Examination details

Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5) - (Fail, Three, Four, Five)
Assessment:

The final grade will be based on the quality of submitted peer evaluations, and the quality of the final written research proposal, as well as the quality of the oral proposal presentation and the defence.

It is important to note that all elements covered in the classes will not necessarily be mirrored in the course readings and that the examination may reflect all course elements, including those only covered in class.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Modules
Code: 0125. Name: Interdisciplinary Research Design.
Credits: 10.0. Grading scale: TH - (U, 3, 4, 5).

Admission

Admission requirements:

• Students should have been admitted either to the MSc Programme in Environmental Management and Policy and have completed a minimum of 37.5 credits of program courses, or to the Masters in Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management and have completed a minimum of 60 credits of program courses.

Reading list

• According to a literature list that will be available on IIIEE's web page at the latest eight weeks before start of the course: https://www.iiiee.lu.se/about-education-iiiee/literature-lists.

Contact

Course coordinator: Daniela Lazoroska, daniela.lazoroska@iiiee.lu.se
Course coordinator: Katharina Reindl, katharina.reindl@iiiee.lu.se
Course homepage: http://www.iiiee.lu.se/education/emp/curriculum