Research and Development (5 cr)

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

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.