MPAR4021 Advanced Topics and Research Methods for the Scientific Study of Preparedness, Crisis Management, and Societal Safety & Security (ATMOS)
- Course codeMPAR4021
- Number of credits15
- Teaching semester2027 Spring
- Language of instruction and examinationNorwegian/English
- CampusRena
- Required prerequisite knowledge
MPAR4014, MPAR4015, and MPAR4005 or MPABR4004 must be passed.
The course covers all stages of the scientific research process to gain scientific knowledge, including formulation of the research problem and intended contribution, establishing the theoretical foundation, the choice of methodological design, procedure for data collection and analysis, reporting and discussion of results, as well as drawing implications for theory and practice in the field of study. The course also aims to familiarize the candidate with the typical structure, content and quality (metrics) of scientific publications within the field.
The course is also intended to prepare the candidate for a doctoral (PhD) program within the field of preparedness, crisis management, and societal safety & security. The compulsory work and examination that will be completed during the course will be a fully developed proposal for a doctoral level research project, within a topic of the candidate’s own choice.
The course content will reflect the multi-disciplinary nature of preparedness, crisis management, and societal safety. In addition to covering design types and methodological choices (including operationalization and instrumentation) for scientific research, the course will cover a range of advanced, applied topics that are relevant for scientific study. Examples include (but not limited to):
- Multi-level crisis management (tactical, operational and strategic levels)
- Analysis and management of risk in complex contexts
- Threats and defenses in the cyber domain
- Vulnerability and protection of critical infrastructure and societal functions
- Emergency medicine and critical decision-making in the health sector
- Dynamic complexity and chaos in crisis, conflict, and war
- Simulation and optimization for preparedness planning and crisis management
- Systemic crises – probable causes and possible solutions
- Emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual/extended reality (VR/XR), and semi- or fully autonomous systems (drones, robots).
- Large-scale simulations for multi-agency crisis management exercises
Learning outcome
Upon passing the course, students have achieved the following learning outcomes:
The student:
- has advanced knowledge of the scientific research process, including research designs and methodology for qualitative and quantitative approaches
- has thorough knowledge of strengths and weaknesses of different research designs and methods, and can critically evaluate research designs and methods, for example based on reliability, validity and quality of research instruments and interventions (including the use of technology such as AI and XR/VR)
- can contribute to the development of new knowledge, new theories, novel research designs and methods, as well as a basic knowledge of scientific literature in the field
The student:
- can formulate research problems, questions and hypotheses based on identified gaps in existing knowledge/theory
- can plan and carry out research projects based on robust research designs and methodology, covering all practical stages of the research process, including selection of participants from a population, operationalization/measurement of variables, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results
- can select appropriate research design and methodology for empirical studies based on suitability for the problem to be studied, as well as cost/benefit considerations.
- can contribute to the writing of scientific publications, e.g., conference proceedings, journal articles, monographies, chapters in anthologies
- can analyze and discuss the quality of research published in scientific publication channels, as well as assess the reliability, validity, and replicability of published studies
The student:
- can identify relevant ethical issues associated with the conduct of scientific research and can comply with established criteria and principles of integrity, rigor, and validity
- can produce own research, and use other’s research, in a manner that will both advance science in general as well as be beneficial for the candidate’s own career as a researcher
- can contribute to public discourse and debate political prioritizations when it comes to research on preparedness, crisis management, and societal safety & security. This includes what topics should be studied, and whether and how novel insights from research should lead to practical implementation
Teaching will be a blend of regular lectures, student presentations, group work, and self-study. In addition, simulated crisis management exercises will be used to demonstrate practical research designs with multi-method approaches, where students are expected to take active part in the exercises.
Handing in a 50 % completed version of the term paper, for feedback by instructor. This activity has to be completed and approved before handing in the final paper for assessment. The paper requires taking part in at least one crisis management exercise.
| Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment | Support materials | Proportion | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written assignment | ECTS - A-F | Individual | 1 Semester(s) |
| 100 % |
An individual term paper, which is to be a proposal for a scientific research project of maximum 10 pages (5000 words).