Research and Development (5cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

Interactive learning assignments in groups for which development feedback is given (passed/failed).
- A method test with an acceptance threshold that can be attempted several times. (20% impact on the overall assessment).
- Personal learning assignments for which development feedback is received (80%).

Evaluation scale

0-5

Content scheduling

Webinars Spring 2026:
- Introduction: Week 3, 2 hours (January)
- Q&A and Guidance: Week 6, 1 hour (February)
- Q&A and Guidance: Week 10, 1 hour (March)
- Q&A and Guidance: Week 14, 1 hour (April)

Participation in the introductory session is also a confirmation of your enrollment in the course. During the introductory session, the first learning tasks will be assigned. The course will end on May 19, 2026.

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.

ILO 1
Proactive Development
Develop solutions to current and future business challenges using knowledge, critical reasoning, and analytical skills


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

Materials

The course's Moodle learning environment will open on 12.1.2026.

Kananen, J. 2015. Online Research for Preparing your Thesis. Publications of Jamk University of Applied Sciences 198.

Kananen, J. 2011. Rafting Through the Thesis Process: Step by Step Guide to thesis Process. . Publications of Jamk University of Applied Sciences 114.Field-specific methodological literature.

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

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

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

Yin, R. K. 2018. Case study research and applications : design and methods. Los Angeles: Sage.

Teaching methods

NOTE: The first and only introductory webinar is mandatory. If a student does not participate in it, they will be removed from the course. In case of a justified reason for absence, the responsible teacher must be notified in advance before the aforementioned webinar. A substitute task, which is accepted and entitles participation in the course, will be assigned to replace attendance.

Zoom-guidance times on a monthly basis based on individual needs.

Information retrieval and applied learning tasks. Through problem-based learning, students have tasks to solve. Some learning tasks are done in groups and some individually.

The responsible and transparent use of AI applications is encouraged in this course. Instructions for using artificial intelligence can be found in chapter 3.2 (https://help.jamk.fi/raportointiohje/fi/3-kirjoittamisprosessi/tekoalyn-kaytto-oppimistehtavissa-ja-opinnaytetyossa/) of the thesis reporting instructions.

Exam schedules

The course does not include any formal exams.

Completion alternatives

You can complete the course by combining study and work, by studification. Agree on studification of the course with the lecturer in charge of the course. For more information on studification, see the degree regulations and study guide.

Student workload

- online contact sessions 5 learning work hours
- learning tasks 85 learning work hours
- studying the course material ans literature 45 learning work hours.

Total 135 learning work hours.

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

Assessment Methods:
Reflective self-assessment, peer feedback, continuous feedback, and overall course evaluation based on learning tasks and a proficiency test.