General study programme for third level studies in library and information science, 240 higher education credits

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1 Information science Dnr General study programme for third level studies in library and information science, 240 higher education credits The curriculum was ratified by the Research and Education Committee of Library- and Information Science in May 27, The programme s aim The programme s aim is to develop the knowledge and skills required to pursue independent research within library and information science and to contribute to development of knowledge within the discipline through production of a scholarly thesis. The third level programme in library and information science shall develop the doctoral student s communicational and pedagogical skills in expressing him/herself well verbally and in writing both within and outside the academic context. The doctoral student shall also have acquired knowledge in planning, leading and implementing research projects. The third level programme shall also provide the opportunity for international contacts e.g. in the form of participation at research conferences and/or visits to foreign higher education institutions. The programme s specific goals, which must be fulfilled for a doctoral degree in library and information science to be awarded, are detailed below. In general the requirements detailed in the Higher Education Ordinance and the Degree Ordinance concerning degrees at third level apply. Knowledge and understanding For the award of a doctorate the doctoral student shall demonstrate. - a breadth of knowledge within and systematic understanding of the field of library and information science, along with a depth of specialist, current knowledge within a well-defined part of the field. - intimate knowledge of scholarly methodology in general and methodology in the field of library and information science in particular.

2 Information science - profound insight into the possibilities and limitations of scholarship, its role in society and people s responsibility for how it is applied. - profound insight into the knowledge requirements in the field of library and information science and the ability to plan for research inputs that can contribute to improving the state of knowledge within the field. Skills and capabilities For the award of a doctorate the doctoral student shall demonstrate - the ability to conduct scholarly analysis and synthesis, and to independently critically review and evaluate complex new phenomena, issues and situations - the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, independently, creatively and with scholarly precision, and to plan and pursue research and other advanced tasks using commensurate methods within given time parameters and to review and appraise such work - the ability through personal research to make a substantial contribution to development of knowledge with a scholarly thesis - the ability to work together with actively employed professional specialists within the field of library and information science. - the ability to authoritatively present and discuss research and research findings verbally and in writing in dialogue with the academic community and society in general Judgement and approach For the award of a doctorate the doctoral student shall demonstrate - the ability to identify the need for further research and demonstrate the prerequisites within both research and education, and in other advanced professional contexts, to contribute to the development of society and to support others in their teaching. - intellectual independence and scholarly honesty, as well as the ability to make ethical judgements relating to research. - understanding of and ability to participate in multidiscipliary coollaboration. 2. Entry requirements Acceptance onto the programme requires applicants to have fulfilled criteria for general and specific entry requirements in accordance with the specifications in chapter 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance.

3 2.1 General entry requirements According to chapter 7, section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance (HEO), general entry requirements comprise: 1. completion of second level degree, 2. completion of course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, at least 60 of which at second level, or 3. in some other way to have acquired fundamentally equivalent knowledge inside or outside the country. 2.2 Specific entry requirements Acceptance onto a third-level programme in library and information science requires the following: 1. a minimum of a master s degree in the subject of library and information science. 2. such proficiencies in Swedish and/or English to be able to assimilate research literature and courses at third level, and take an active part in seminar activities Candidates are also qualified who are deemed in some other way to have acquired fundamentally equivalent knowledge inside or outside the country. 3. Admission and selection Admission onto a third level programme in library and information science generally requires a special announcement. According to chapter 7 of HEO, selection among applicants shall be conducted in consideration of ability to complete the programme. In addition, the department s expertise and supervisory resources within the doctoral student s provisional research specialisation are taken into account. Applicants are required to enclose the following as underlying material for the selection: a. essays and degree projects that have been assessed according to the following quality criteria: knowledge and understanding of the subject studied, linguistic ability, ability to use scholarly methods and analytical skill. b. a project outline in which the applicant indicates research interests / planned area for the thesis. The project outline is used to assess supervisory expertise and capacity to formulate scholarly problems.

4 c. documentation pertaining to previous studies, degrees and other qualifications. 4. The programme s content and structure The third level programme in library- and information science comprises 240 higher education credits and concludes with the doctoral examination. The option is available to take a licentiate's examination after 120 higher education credits if the requirements specified in the Higher Education Ordinance s degree ordinance concerning licentiate degrees are fulfilled. Third level programmes consist partly of courses that are subsequently examined, and partly of individual research work leading to a scholarly thesis. Within the framework of their programmes, doctoral students are also expected to take part in seminar activities and, unless there are specific reasons, contribute to the department s joint activities. The degree requires active participation in research seminars over eight terms (four terms for the licentiate degree). With the consent of the supervisors, parts of the programme can be completed at another Swedish or foreign institutions of higher education. 4.1 Thesis work The student must write a scholarly thesis for the doctoral degree comprising 150 higher education credits. The subject for the thesis is selected in conjunction with the supervisor. The thesis is to be based on independent research. The doctoral thesis can be formulated either as a compilation of scholarly papers /journal articles or as a continuous work (monograph). If the thesis or parts of it is written together with another person, it must be possible to differentiate the candidate s contribution. The thesis is normally submitted in several stages during the course of the work, with a compulsory presentation of the thesis plan, a report at the half-way stage and a final seminar with a complete proposal for the thesis. The licentiate dissertation is defended at a seminar with an opponent from another institution especially appointed by the examiner. 4.2 Courses The course component consists of sub-courses (usually of higher education credits) in two blocks of 45 higher education credits each. Previously completed courses at second cycle can be included after individual assessment.

5 However, courses with a maximum of 90 higher education credits can be accepted with a corresponding reduction in the planned period of study. 1. Basic block, 45 higher education credits, compulsory courses (given by the University of Borås): - Scientific theory and research methods that deal with both qualitative and quantitative methods, 22.5 higher education credits - Subject-specific theoretical courses, 22.5 higher education credits 2. Optional courses, 45 higher education credits - Optional courses comprise further study or specialisation within a number of the sub-fields or research methods included in the discipline Optional courses are decided in consultation with the supervisor. If doctoral students wish to include higher education credits from previous programmes this must be specifically indicated in the individual curriculum. The course component for the licentiate's degree consists of the base block of 45 higher education credits as above, and 15 higher education credits in optional courses. 4.3 Thesis and public defence At the heart of the programme is the writing of a scholarly thesis in which the doctoral student advances knowledge within the research field. In accordance with the rules detailed in the Higher Education Ordinance for doctoral and licentiate degrees respectively, the thesis shall be defended at a public defence and seminar respectively. 5. Supervision Two supervisors shall be appointed for each doctoral student, one main supervisor and one assistant supervisor. The main supervisor shall be employed at the University of Borås. At least one of the supervisors shall be qualified for appointment to a readership or equivalent and at least one of the supervisors shall have completed supervisor training. The doctoral student is entitled to supervision as stipulated in the individual curriculum. Every doctoral student must follow a fixed curriculum that is regularly planned in consultation with the supervisors. Their task is to regularly discuss, read and critically review the doctoral students research work before it is presented for public defence.

6 Doctoral students who request it have the right to change supervisor. 6. Individual curriculum An individual curriculum is drawn up for each doctoral student in connection with admission. The curriculum is established after consultation with the doctoral student and his/her supervisor. The individual curriculum shall be followed up on a least one occasion per year. The follow-up shall set out clearly how the programme is progressing. Doctoral student, supervisor and head of department shall confirm in writing that they have studied the individual curriculum and any alterations made to it. The Director of the PhD Programme is responsible for the follow-up of the individual study plan and the plan is approved by the Research and Education Committee once a year. 6.1 Timetable and finance plan The individual curriculum shall contain a timetable with an accompanying finance plan for the entire period of the programme up to the planned date for the public defence. 7. Miscellaneous You are referred in general to applicable legislation and guidelines at University of Borås. Details of relevant rules and regulations are available at Information about the third level programme in library and information science is also available via