Quantitative ResearchLaajuus (5 cr)

Objective

Purpose of the course
The aim of the course is to understand the meaning of quantitative research and learn to use quantitative research methods in working life development and research.

Competences
Learning and information management
Ethical competence

Subject specific competences

Learning outcomes
You will acquire the knowledge and understanding of quantitative research methods and methodology. You will understands the strengths and the weaknesses of quantitative research. You will be able to conduct a quantitative research and assess it as well as its applicability to your own field of research and development work. You can identify the applications of well-reasoned methods pertaining to quantitative data for solving different types of research questions.

Content

The focus of the course will be on the following aspects:
Epistemological grounds of quantitative research
Definition of the research topic, formulation of the research questions
Process of quantitative research
Methods of data collection
Main analysis methods for Master's thesis
Reliability of quantitative research
Ethics in quantitative research

To understand the above the following course contents will be included in the course:

Research plan,
Hypotheses testing,
Populations and samples,
Normality assumption of data,
Descriptive statistics,
Correlational analysis,
Regression analysis (simple, linear),
T-tests and ANOVA,
Validity and reliability of data, assumptions of parametric data,
Logistic regression and non-linear regression,
Explorative Factor analysis,
Non-parametric tests,
Revisiting assumptions of parametric data (Multi-collinearity, Autocorrelation and Heteroscedasticity)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient 1
The student demonstrates an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. The student recognises different quantitative materials and methods that are suited for the solution of different types of research assignments. The student has basic preparedness to carry out quantitative research. The student perceives how quantitative research is assessed.

Satisfactory 2
The student demonstrates an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. The student recognises and is able to select different quantitative materials and methods that are suited for the solution of different types of research assignments. The student has basic preparedness to carry out quantitative research. The student perceives how quantitative research is assessed and applies the information to the research and development work of his/her own field.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3
The student demonstrates an understanding of the epistemological grounds of quantitative research as well as its strengths and weaknesses. The student selects and justifies his/her choice of quantitative material and methods that are suited to solving the research assignments of his/her thesis. The student has good preparedness to carry out quantitative research. The student can assess quantitative research and applies the information to the research and development work of his/her own field.

Very good 4
The student specifies with justifications the epistemological grounds and methods of his/her quantitative research. The student competently examines the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research. The student assesses the suitability of different quantitative materials and methods to solving different types of research assignments. The student has very good preparedness to carry out quantitative research. The student assesses quantitative research and its applicability to the research and development work of his/her own field.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
The student specifies with justifications the epistemological grounds and methods of his/her quantitative research. The student competently examines the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research. The student assesses the suitability of different quantitative materials and methods to solving different types of research assignments. The student has excellent preparedness to carry out quantitative research. The student critically assesses quantitative research and its applicability to the research and development work of his/her own field.