FAK3144 The Research Process, Introductory course

Eligible applicants are students who meet the requirements for admission to graduate studies in history or other humanities and social sciences.

The course provides a comprehensive and reflexive introduction to graduate education and academic life. Seminars and lectures include topics as (1)  practical and formal aspects of financing and examination; (2) experiences of former PhD students and supervisors; (3) literature search and publishing; (4) academic writing and referencing; (5) ways of writing and presenting a doctoral thesis and a scholarly paper; (6) the academic milieu and the university as an institution; (7) the humanities and the research system as well as ethics. The main content also includes basic skills in archival research, oral history and other research tools commonly used in history of science, technology and environment. All students will develop a thesis memo during the course and have the opportunity to give and receive feedback on these.

Following the course, the student should have attained basic knowledge and skills in:

- Searching for literature and source material.

- Formulating relevant and fruitful research questions.

- Writing a memo for a PhD project.

- Critically review, evaluate and give feedback.

The student should also be familiar with the structure and functions of academia, its institutions and disciplines, understand the requirements of a doctoral thesis, have obtained reflexive understanding of doctoral studies, academic research, and comprehended the formal administrative structure and regulations of KTH. Furthermore, students should learn the basic methods of archival research, oral history, and other research tools commonly used in history of science, technology and environment.