Curricula

Objectives

Purpose of the course
The purpose of the course is to familiarise the student with the basics of development and research activities and support the writing of the bachelor's thesis.

Course competences:
Ethical competence
Internationalisation and communications competence
Learning and information management competence

EUR-ACE accredited degree programmes
Investigations and information retrieval
Engineering practice
Communication and team-working

Course learning outcomes
As a student, you are familiar with the different stages involved in research and development processes supporting your thesis, the required approaches to research and development and the most common options for data collection and analysis. You are able to choose a development or research approach and methods (data collection and analysis methods) that are suitable to your thesis. You are familiar with JAMK’s thesis process and are able to prepare a thesis topic proposal and plan in which you justify the methodological choices you made. You are familiar with the research ethics governing thesis preparation and act in accordance with it and the principles of good scientific practice.

Content

Research process (research setting: research problem, research question, research approach, data collection and analysis methods, reliability review, open science)

The generic structure of a thesis, evaluation criteria and exercises on evaluating completed theses

Research ethics and good scientific or artistic practice

Integrative literature review
- Problem identification, location of studies, data collection from individual studies, evaluation of the studies and data analysis

Qualitative research:
- the most common qualitative data collection methods, analysis methods, reliability review

Quantitative research:
- data collection (existing or self-collected data, questionnaire), measuring scales, sampling, data analysis methods (indicators, direct distribution, cross-tabulation, statistical tests, reliability of results)

Research-based development
- setting development problems / questions, choosing development methods, data collection and analysis, assessing the reliability of research and development activities

Preparation of a thesis topic proposal

Time and location

The primary mode of delivery is a combination of in-class activities on campus and online lectures. The lectures will be recorded to support opportunities for 24/7 learning. The in-class activities deepen the learning in the forms of tutorials, individual and group work, reflection and guidance. However, if the COVID-19 situation requires the learning will be supported by online tutorials.

Detailed and up-to-date information is available in the course workspace (Learning Environment).

Learning materials and recommended literature

Textbook:
Research methods for Business Students; Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill, additional virtual material available
Please Note ! Research methods for business students, 4th ed. 2006 / Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill is now freely available to you via JAMK on-campus and Intranet Library
JAMK's thesis-related directions in the Study Guide
School-specific directions on the dedicated learning platform and
Elmo Student
Online study materials on Information retrieval

Stevens, J., & Crawford, S. 2014. Project reporting instructions. Adapted from Raportointiohje [Reporting instructions] by Liukko, S., & Perttula, S. 2013. JAMK University of Applied Sciences’ open learning materials. Accessed on 12 March 2014. Retrieved from http - //oppimateriaalit.jamk.fi/project reporting instructions


Other relevant materials.

Teaching methods

The primary mode of delivery is a combination of in-class activities on campus and online lectures. The lectures will be recorded to support opportunities for 24/7 learning. The in-class activities deepen the learning in the forms of tutorials, individual and group work, reflection and guidance. However, if the COVID-19 situation requires the learning will be supported by online tutorials.

Detailed and up-to-date information is available in the course workspace (Learning Environment).
Lectures, course project/group assignments, thesis proposal/individual assignment, exam test.

Course ILOs - Intended Learning Outcomes:

IBCRI Skills in Critical and Analytical Understanding
Critically review, analyze, and understand the information available from academic and professional business sources in the context of thesis planning, design, and implementation process.
IBCOM Communication Skills
Communicate responsibly, effectively, and professionally in English in oral and written formats in the context of planning, design, and implementation process.
IBETH Ethical Conduct
Embrace ethical conduct in practice and decision-making in the context of thesis planning, design, and implementation process. This may be according to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (UNPRME) or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Practical training and working life connections

Thesis as part of double degree diploma and/or overseas internship.

Exam dates and retake possibilities

Detailed and up-to-date information is available in the course workspace (Learning Environment).

International connections

The course is available for Double Degree students and Study Abroad students from JAMK's partner institutions around the world.

Alternative completion methods

The primary mode of delivery is a combination of in-class activities on campus and online lectures. The lectures will be recorded to support opportunities for 24/7 learning. The in-class activities deepen the learning in the forms of tutorials, individual and group work, reflection and guidance. However, if the COVID-19 situation requires the learning will be supported by online tutorials.

Detailed and up-to-date information is available in the course workspace (Learning Environment).

Student workload

Detailed and up-to-date information is available in the course workspace (Learning Environment).

Total 125-155 hours

Content scheduling

Detailed and up-to-date information is available in the course workspace (Learning Environment).
Weekly lectures, workshops, and assignments.
Fall semester the course ends at the latest in the third week of December.
Spring semester the course ends at the latest at the end of May.
More details to be announced during the course.

Further information for students

Open UAS: 4 (included in the total capacity)

The student understands what a research process includes, how to formulate a research topic and research questions, do a literature review, understand research philosophies and approaches, formulate research design, is aware of research ethics and challenges in getting access to data/organizations as well as available sampling techniques. The student is aware of the different data sources, research methods, and strategies to choose from, as well as data collection techniques and procedures and analysis, and can draw basic conclusions. The student is familiar with JAMK thesis/diploma guidelines.

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to -
IBCRI Skills in Critical and Analytical Understanding
Critically review, analyze, and understand the information available from academic and professional business sources in the context of thesis planning, design, and implementation process.
IBCOM Communication Skills
Communicate responsibly, effectively, and professionally in English in oral and written formats in the context of planning, design, and implementation process.
IBETH Ethical Conduct
Embrace ethical conduct in practice and decision-making in the context of thesis planning, design, and implementation process. This may be according to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (UNPRME) or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Adequate 1
The student is familiar with the steps involved in the development and research process. They know how to obtain research knowledge concerning their own area of development or research. The student knows some key research and development methods and is able to describe the differences between them. The student is familiar with the ethical principles and principles of good scientific practice related to the thesis. The student acts in compliance with them.

Satisfactory 2
The student is able to obtain knowledge concerning their own area of development or research. They recognise possibilities for applying development and research methods. The student is familiar with the ethical principles and principles of good scientific practice related to the thesis. The student acts in compliance with them.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Good 3
The student is able to independently obtain and assess knowledge concerning their own area of development or research. They are able to choose a development or research method suitable for their thesis. The student is familiar with the ethical principles and principles of good scientific practice related to the thesis. The student acts in compliance with them.

Very good 4
The student is able to independently obtain and critically assess knowledge concerning their own area of development or research. The student is able to choose a development or research approach and method suitable for their thesis and justify their choice. The student is familiar with the ethical principles and principles of good scientific practice related to the thesis. The student acts in compliance with them.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
The student is able to obtain knowledge concerning their area of development or research and is capable of source criticism.
They are able to analyse the differences between different development and research methods and justify the choice of development or research methods for their thesis. The student is familiar with the ethical principles and principles of good scientific practice related to the thesis. The student acts in compliance with them.