Research and Development (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The study course is divided into three parts as follows:

1 ECTS Orientation assignment and information seeking
3 ECTS Research methods incl. assignments
1 ECTS Preparation of a thesis topic proposal

Each part includes individual learning tasks

Objective

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

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.


Course learning outcomes:
As a student, you know the different stages of the development processes that support the thesis. You are able to acquire reliable and up-to-date information on working life. You are able to choose a suitable development method (data collection and analysis methods) for your thesis. You are familiar with Jamk's thesis process and are able to prepare a thesis topic proposal. You know the principles of responsible conduct of research and act in accordance with them.

Content

- Development process: goal definition, research question or development task, acquisition of working life information, methods of data collection and analysis, assessment of reliabilityi
- Generic structure of the thesis, evaluation criteria, Research ethics and good scientific or artistic practice
- Research-based development activities:- setting a development task, choosing development methods, collecting and analysing data, assessing the reliability of research-based development activities
- Preparation of a thesis topic proposal

Location and time

Online course

Materials

Eskola, J. & Suoranta, J. 2014 tai uudempi painos. Johdatus laadulliseen tutkimukseen. Tampere: Vastapaino.
OR

Tuomi, J.& Sarajärvi, A. 2018. Laadullinen tutkimus ja sisällön analyysi. Tammi.
OR

Metsämuuronen, J. (toim.) 2006. Laadullisen tutkimuksen käsikirja. Helsinki: International Methelp.

AND
Metsämuuronen, J. 2011. Tutkimuksen tekemisen perusteet ihmistieteissä: Opiskelijalaitos. 2. laitos (4. laitoksen pohjalta). Helsinki: International Methelp.
OR

Vilkka, H. 2007. tai uudempi painos. Tutki ja mittaa: määrällisen tutkimuksen perusteet. Helsinki: Tammi.

Teaching methods

Study methods
Research-based development is an online course. You study in the Moodle learning environment. In Moodle you will find course instructions, schedules, assignments and study materials. You will also attend webinars. In webinars, you reflect and share what you have learned communally with your peer students.

You conduct independent information gathering and apply what you have learned in learning assignments done in group works or individually.

You familiarize yourself with various research and development methods. You practice information seeking and familiarize yourself with research traditions and research streams in your study field. You learn to make well-reasoned choices regarding the choice of research extract and research methods for the thesis. You apply what you have learned in learning assignments and exams.

You can acquire skills for starting the thesis by getting to know the various ways of implementing the thesis. You familiarize yourself with the principles of good scientific practice and the ethical principles in terms of thesis.

The course begins with orientation to the theoretical foundations of research methods and information retrieval. During the first three weeks of the study period, each student does an orientation assignment, which at the same time confirms your attendance at the study period.

Guidance
You will receive guidance in the Moodle learning environment (e.g. question and answer forum) and webinars. You will also receive guidance from your peer students.

Feedback
You will receive both qualitative and quantitative evaluation and feedback onto your examination, group work and reflective assignments.

You give feedback on the course (mid-term and final feedback on the implementation).

Employer connections

This course has a research project, which can be done for a case organisation.

Exam schedules

Exams and quizzes during the course, according to your schedule.

International connections

During the course, you will utilise international research literature.

Completion alternatives

This course can be replaced by relevant prior studies or knowledge. See the Jamk intra and degree regulations for more information.

Student workload

Your indicative use of time during the 5-credit course is 135 working hours, which is divided as follows:

Orientation to the course 10 h
Studying with learning materials 30 h
Completing learning assignments 40 h
Preparing for the exam 30 h
Online webinars 12 h
Thesis subject and feedback 13 h

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Adequate 1
Familiar stages of the development process. You know how to acquire working life and research information concerning your own field. You know the key development methods. You know the principles of responsible conduct of research and act in accordance with them..

Satisfactory 2
You are able to acquire working life and research knowledge in your own field . You identify opportunities to apply development methods. You know the principles of responsible conduct of research for your thesis and act in accordance with them.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good 3
You are able to independently acquire and evaluate working life and research information concerning your own field. You are able to choose a development method suitable for your thesis and justify your choice. You know the principles of responsible conduct of research and act in accordance with them.

Very good 4
You are able to independently acquire working life and research information concerning your own field and evaluate it critically. You are able to choose a development method suitable for your thesis and justify your choice. You know the principles of responsible conduct of research and act in accordance with them.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent 5
You are able to independently acquire and evaluate working life and research information concerning your own field. You are able to analyse the differences in development methods and justify the method choices you have made. You are able to evaluate development proposals and their implementation in working life You know the principles of responsible conduct of research and act in accordance with them.

Further information

This course replaces the prior course ZZPP0620 Kehittämis- ja tutkimustoiminta.