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.

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

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.

JAMK and IB specific Competences:

1. Learning to learn-
You develop critical and analytical mindset that helps you to study and review existing knowledge in the light of relevant learning resources and learning methods; incentivizes you to acquire new knowledge; and develops your intellectual capabilities to seek conclusions and draw inferences in various contexts.
To achieve this competence, you will:
– learn to formulate relevant questions and seek information,
-review relevant theoretical, and empirical literature to comprehend diverse perspectives and evaluate, and interpret arguments and counter-arguments,
-understand new developments in your field of study and make informed decisions based thereon.
- acquire the researcher’s mindset to problematize, explore and understand real-life phenomena especially in the academic track system.
2. Proactive development-
You develop solutions in the light of current as well as anticipated situations and challenges in business by applying knowledge, critical reasoning and analytical skills. You ensure that these solutions are feasible, relevant, creative, user-friendly, and sustainable as well as underline active cooperation amongst different actors.
To achieve this competence, you will:
- apply existing knowledge and utilize relevant research methods including digital technology in development projects,
-interpret new evidence in the light of existing body of knowledge, make comparisons and draw inferences,
- express your intellectual contribution through scientific or professional writings,
-understand utility, creativity, viability, scalability, and sustainability of new solutions.
3. Internationality and multiculturalism-
You work in multicultural and international environments and networks in order to develop knowledge and communication skills as well as develop empathy and appreciation for other cultures. You communicate responsibly and effectively in English through written, verbal, non-verbal and digital formats individually as well as a team member in diverse settings.
To achieve this competence, you will:
-be familiar with the impact of your cultural background on your actions and be able to effectively and productively function in your work community that explicitly recognizes the relevance of multiculturalism,
-demonstrate meaningful intercultural teamwork, including the roles of leadership and conflict resolution, in order to develop creative solutions carrying multicultural underpinnings,
-be able to experience group learning and share best practices in international settings,
- learn to communicate ideas and solutions effectively in the context of various subjects, multiple purposes, and a wide range of audience both individually as well as in a group,
- initiate and engage constructive dialogues among relevant stakeholders to accomplish desired goals for multiple purposes and communicate ideas and solutions to a wide range of audience including both individuals and groups,
-learn to be ‘active listener’ to understand diverse perspectives, and points of view in accurate, unbiased, and critical manner,
-learn various aspects of digital media.
4. Ethics-
You benchmark and demonstrate ethical and responsible conduct according to the well-established principles, norms and best practices laid down by relevant national and international bodies and organisations.
To achieve this competence, you will:
-understand and apply the well-established principles of responsible conduct in research, and problem solving,
-adhere to the principles of equity, equality, and non-discrimination,
-take responsibility for your own actions and their consequences and reflect on them in accordance with the relevant ethical principles, norms, and practices,
- develop realization of diversity and accessibility in your actions.

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.