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
Online exam

Exam schedules

Online exam will be done at informed time.
An unsuccessful online exam can be done again in two sessions.

Completion alternatives

Opintojakson voi opinnollistaa tutkintosäännön mukaisesti.

Student workload

- lectures/online lectures 24 h
- learning tasks 45 h
- studying the course material 20 h
- preparation for the exam 26 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.