About this course
If you would like to conduct research while in Denmark or Sweden, perhaps as part of an existing project for your home school, you may apply to conduct an Independent Research Project under the guidance of a DIS faculty as your Research Mentor.
The project should use Denmark or Sweden, specifically, as a resource. For this option, you must plan your research project with a professor at your home school the semester before you arrive at DIS. This professor must be willing to communicate with you and your DIS research mentor while you are in Denmark or Sweden.
You’ll carry out the project in Copenhagen or Stockholm, maximizing your use of the Danish/Swedish/European environment. You will have regular meetings with your DIS Research Mentor, but the bulk of your work will be self-directed. Your Research Mentor will be available to guide you on your methodology and help you find resources to conduct your research locally.
At the end of your semester, you’ll have the option of taking your research home to present it or turn it into a thesis, honors project, or senior capstone. If you are planning to use the project when you return to your home campus, you should also speak with your home school professor/advisor about this option before you depart, as there may be specific requirements and approvals you’ll need before you begin your research.
Important information for your Independent Research Project
All students participating in research at DIS should be aware of application requirements, as well as IRB and GDPR considerations that may be applicable to certain projects.
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All application materials must be submitted on the following dates by midnight in your time zone:
- November 1 for spring semester applicants
- May 1 for fall semester applicants
After you have been accepted to DIS, you will be sent information to register for classes. Login to our registration and:
- If DIS believes your proposal is not achievable during your semester, we will work with you to revise the proposal and/or you will choose a replacement course if you have not already done so.
- Submit a brief summary of your proposal on the ‘Course Registration’ page
- Complete the Research Proposal Form and upload it with all supporting materials to the ‘Upload Transcripts/Documents’ page by the deadline.
- Prior to the proposal being accepted, you should register for an alternative 3-credit course, just in case your project is not approved!
- Your application will be reviewed by the DIS Director of Research and a relevant Program Director/DIS faculty member, as appropriate. If your research project proposal is accepted, you will receive confirmation before the start of the semester, so you may drop your additional course.
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One of your first steps should be to find out if your home institution will require you to have IRB approval. If you do, you will need to apply for and obtain approval before you arrive to DIS.
The purpose of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to ensure appropriate steps are taken in protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects in a research study.
IRBs are commonly used for studies in the fields of health, social sciences, psychology, and all studies involving observation of children and/or vulnerable populations. Such studies may include trials of new drugs or devices, studies of personal or social behavior, opinions or attitudes, or studies of how health care is delivered and might be improved.
U.S. educational institutions may require research students to receive IRB approval for their involvement in a research project. Some schools always require IRB review where human subjects are involved, no matter where the research is conducted. Others will require it if the results of any research conducted in Denmark or Sweden are to be made public or published in the U.S.
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The GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is a privacy and security law that was put into effect by the European Union in May 2018. It imposes obligations on any institution or organization within or outside the EU that targets or collects data related to people in the EU.
Denmark and Sweden are governed under EU law and thus any research conducted here must be GDPR compliant. You should be aware of any relevant GDPR guidelines and respect them throughout your participation in research.
Under GDPR, it is a breach of the law to transfer identifiable data outside of the EU (for example, to your U.S. home institution). If you are involved with a DIS research project which will transfer data outside of the EU, the data must be fully anonymized before it can be transferred.
Your DIS research mentor will be fully acquainted with GDPR compliance and will help you navigate any ethics and compliance requirements once you begin your project.
If you are pursuing an Independent Research Project which will involve human subjects, you will be required to explain how you will address the required ethics and GDPR compliances, including informed consent and handling of personal data.
Syllabus
Fall 2024
Go to syllabus
This is the most recent syllabus for this course
Note to Full Year Students
Full year students wishing to do research in either term should start the planning process before departing for DIS.
We’ll support you every step of the way.
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