Research and Development (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Objective

The student
- is familiar with the various stages of the research & development processes supporting the thesis project, research/development approaches, as well as different data collection and analysis options
- knows how to select the appropriate research & development approach and methods (data collection and analysis) for her own thesis project, apply them and justify her selections
- has the ability to critically evaluate the reliability of the research/thesis, its strengths and weaknesses as well as the usefulness of the results
- becomes acquainted with quantitative and qualitative research software applications

Content

- Research process (research design: research problem, research question, research approach, data collection and analysis methods, reliability check), thesis structure
Qualitative research:
- qualitative research methods
- data collection methods (observation, interviewing, document analysis), data analysis methods, reliability check, trials
Quantitative research:
- data collection (survey questionnaire), measurement scales, sampling, data analysis methods (statistics, direct distribution, cross tabulation, statistical tests, reliability and transfer ability of findings)
- electronic information collection methods and statistical data applications - trials and applications
Development and action research:
- methodological basis and applications
- generic structure of the thesis, evaluation criteria and trial implementation of the completed project

Materials

Dodd, S-J. & Epstein, I. 2012. Practice-based research in social work: a guide for reluctant researchers. London; New York: Routledge.

Bryman, A. 2012. Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press cop.

Yin, R. K. 2018. Case study research and applications : design and methods. Los Angeles: Sage.

Ethical principles and ethical review in human sciences. 2020. Finnish National Board on Research Integrity. www.tenk.fi/en

Responsible conduct of research and procedures for handling allegations of misconduct in Finland. 2012. Finnish National Board on Research Integrity. www.tenk.fi/en

Teaching methods

Individual learning tasks
Group work
Lectures
Webinars

Completion alternatives

Opintojakson voi opinnollistaa tutkintosäännön mukaisesti.

Student workload

- lectures/online lectures 24 h
- learning tasks 71 h
- studying the course material 20 h
- thesis subject 20h
Total 135 hours.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Sufficient (1) The student
- is familiar with the stages of the research and development process
- knows how to retrieve research information pertaining to the field of research and development
- is familiar with the key research and development methods and can describe their differences

Satisfactory (2) The student
- is capable of retrieving information pertaining to his or her field of research and development
- recognizes possibilities of application research and development methods

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3) The student - can independently find information pertaining to his or her field of research and development, and assess it in a critical manner - can select and use in his/her work the appropriate research and development methods - is familiar with the principles of research ethics

Very good (4) The student - can select the research and development technique and method appropriate for his or her research and development work, and apply them - can review the strength and weaknesses of his or her own work - is capable of acting in line with the principles of research ethics - can communicate the research and development plan in an analytical and objective way, both in writing and orally

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5) The student - is capable of retrieving extensive information pertaining to the research and development area, and is capable of critical assessment of the sources of information - can analyze differences between research and development methods and apply the methods to his or her work in an argumented manner - can analyze and assess the results and to critically review the strength and weaknesses of her own work

Qualifications

Sufficient exposure to the student's own professional field.