1. THEORY AND
METHOD FOR
MEDIA
TECHNOLOGY
STEFAN HRASTINSKI

2. AIM OF THE COURSE
The aim of the course is to provide a deeper understanding
of scientific theories and methods relevant for media
technology research. After completed course, the student
should be able to:
identify and critically examine media technology research
outline and analyze scientific theories relevant for media
technology research
outline and analyze scientific methods relevant for media
technology research
identify methodological problems in a research study
analyze the relationship between results that have been
obtained in a study and the conclusions that legitimately can
be drawn on the basis of the results.

3. COURSE CONTENT
The course consists of five themes and one group project.
The themes and group work are mainly addressed as applied
in media technology research. The themes are:
1. Research publications and Theory of science (week 44)
2. Theory (week 45)
3. Qualitative methods (week 46)
4. Quantitative methods (week 47)
5. Design research (week 48)
Group work presentations (week 49)

4. LEARNING
MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
You will find the most recent version of the schedule and
recent information regarding the course at KTH social. You
will use Bilda to register your blog and to access blog posts
of course peers and to hand in your group work assignment.
KTH social: https://www.kth.se/social/course/DM2572
Bilda: https://bilda.kth.se/courseId/8844/launchCourse.do

5. ASSESSMENT
Individual learning portfolio (blog) – grades A-F
Group project - Fail, Pass, Good or High quality
The individual portfolio is the most important part of grading,
but the group project also influences your final grade

6. INDIVIDUAL LEARNING
PORTFOLIO (BLOG)
You are expected to write a blog posting prior to each theme.
In this posting you will address questions/assignments. The
deadline for a posting on no more than 600 words is Fridays
at 17.00 of the previous week. For example, for the first
theme conducted during week 44, your deadline is Friday,
Oct 26.
You are also expected to write a blog posting after each
theme. In this posting, which should not encompass more
than 400 words, you are expected to reflect on what you
learnt during the week. The deadline is Thursdays at 17.00.
For example, for the first theme conducted during week 44,
your deadline is Thursday, Nov 1.
For further details on grading, see the course guide
https://www.kth.se/social/page/course-guide/

7. GROUP PROJECT
The group project is to be conducted in groups of four
students. All students should belong to the same seminar
group. In this project, you will have the possibility to focus
on a topic that you find interesting, which is clearly relevant
for the course. Examples of topics include the following:
Interviews as a method in media technology research.
The use of social network analysis in media technology
research.
Social media in organizations: a literature review.
Using actor-network theory in media technology research.
For details on grading, see the course guide
https://www.kth.se/social/page/course-guide/

8. SCHEDULE
Week 43 (Thu): Introductory lecture
Week 44 (Mon+Tue+Wed): Research publications/Theory of
science (Theme 1)
Week 45 (Tue/Wed): Theory (Theme 2)
Week 46 (Mon + Wed): Quantitative methods (Theme 3)
Week 47 (Mon + Wed): Qualitative methods (Theme 4)
Week 48 (Mon + Wed): Design research (Theme 5)
Week 49 (Tue + Thu): Discussions of group work
For a more detailed schedule, see
https://www.kth.se/social/course/DM2572/calendar/

9. THEME 1: RESEARCH
PUBLICATIONS/THEORY OF SCIENCE
Seminar (Mon): Research journals and papers, Stefan
Hrastinski.
Lecture (Tue): Theory of science, Leif Dahlberg.
Seminar (Wed): Theory of science, Leif Dahlberg.

10. JOURNALS AND
IMPACT FACTOR

14. WWW.KTH.SE/EN/KTHB

16. WEB OF SCIENCE

17. SCHOLAR.GOOGLE.SE.FOCUS.LIB.KTH.SE

18. JOIN A SEMINAR GROUP
https://www.kth.se/social/page/seminar-groups/

19. THEORY AND
METHOD FOR
MEDIA
TECHNOLOGY
STEFAN HRASTINSKI