Research and Development (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

The course is divided into three parts

1 ECTS Orientation to research and information acquisition
3 ECTS Introduction to research and development methods and related exercises
1 ECTS Thesis topic proposal exercise and participation in the thesis webinar

Each part includes independent learning tasks and exams.

Objective

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

Location and time

Course Schedule
The course begins on August 27, 2025, in the Moodle learning environment.

Webinars
Wed 27.8.2025 from 17:00 to 19:00
Wed 10.9.2025 from 17:00 to 19:00
Wed 24.9.2025 from 17:00 to 19:00
Wed 8.10.2025 from 17:00 to 19:00

You can find the detailed schedule in the Moodle learning environment.
The course ends on 19.12.2025.

The Research and Development course is a fully online scheduled course. The detailed schedule is available in the Moodle workspace.

Materials

Literature

Eskola, J., & Suoranta, J. (2014 or later edition). Johdatus laadulliseen tutkimukseen. Vastapaino.

OR

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

OR

Metsämuuronen, J. (Ed.). (2006). Laadullisen tutkimuksen käsikirja. International Methelp.

AND

Metsämuuronen, J. (2011). Tutkimuksen tekemisen perusteet ihmistieteissä: Opiskelijalaitos (2nd ed., based on the 4th ed.). International Methelp.

OR

Vilkka, H. (2007 or later edition). Tutki ja mittaa: määrällisen tutkimuksen perusteet. 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 will need to have a camera, headphones, and a microphone for participating in the webinars.

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. Attendance will be checked three weeks after the kick off webinar. Participation in the course requires that you have submitted Learning Assignment 1 by September 16, 2025

The course begins with orientation to the theoretical foundations of research methods and information retrieval.


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 provide mid-term and final feedback on the implementation of the course.

Employer connections

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

Exam schedules

During the course, you will take qualitative and quantitative research exams according to your own chosen 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


Allocate approximately 8 hours per week for work.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

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.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

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.

Assessment 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.

Further information

Assessment methods

Your learning in the course will be evaluated based on the learning objectives. The assessment takes into account feedback from the teacher, the student's self-assessment, and feedback from peers.

In the course, the use of artificial intelligence, guidelines, and any ethical issues will follow the updated recommendations of Arene and the rules of Jamk.