Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods (4cr)

Evaluation scale

1-5

Content scheduling

-basic concepts in qualitative and quantitative research, research problems, plan and process
- planning data collection, scales of measurement, sampling
- using Webropol in data collection
- basic methods in qualitative data collection and analysis
- SPSS analysis for quantitative data
- illustrating and reporting on the results
- ethical issues and reliability; producing knowledge and applying it to the practice and development of elderly care and services

Objective

Students will become aware of the theoretical, methodological and ethical background of qualitative and quantitative research. They will learn to formulate research questions that suit the research approach. They will learn basic methods in qualitative research. They will learn to plan and implement a quantative research process, construct a data collection tool and use SPSS statistics. They will propose how research findings can be applied to the practice of elderly care and services.

Content

-basic concepts in qualitative and quantitative research, research problems, plan and process
- planning data collection, scales of measurement, sampling
- basic methods in qualitative data collection and analysis
- SPSS analysis for quantitative data
- illustrating and reporting on the results
- ethical issues and reliability, producing knowledge and applying it to the practice and development of elderly care and services

Materials

- Greasley, Pete (2008) Quantitative Data Analysis Using SPSS: An Introduction for Health and Social Sciences. Open University Press. (e-kirja).
- Heikkilä, Tarja (2014) Tilastollinen tutkimus. Helsinki: Edita.
- Hirsjärvi, Sirkka & Hurme, H. Tutkimushaastattelu. teemahaastattelun teoria ja käytäntö.
- Kananen, Jorma (2014) Laadullinen tutkimus opinnäytetyönä. Jyväskylä: Jyväskylän ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisuja 176.
- Kananen, Jorma (2014) Toimintatutkimus kehittämistutkimuksen muotona. Jyväskylä: Jyväskylän
ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisuja.
- Puusa, A & Juuti, P. 2011. Menetelmäviidakon raivaajat: perusteita laadullisen tutkimuslähestymistavan valintaan. Helsinki: JTO.
- Sarajärvi, Anneli & Tuomi, Jouni. 2009. Laadullinen tutkimus ja sisällön analyysi. Helsinki:Tammi.
- Other Literature provided by the teachers.

Teaching methods

Lectures, online-studies and assignments

Student workload

104 hours:
- Quantitative Research Methods: lectures 20 hours, independent work 32 hours
- Qualitative Research Methods: lectures 20 hours, independent work 32 hours

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students are able to describe approaches and methods in qualitative and quantitative research. Under supervision, they know how to implement a qualitative and quantitative research process using basic methods. Students are aware of research ethical norms. They are able to give examples of applying research knowledge in elderly care practice.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Students are able to compare the approaches, formulation of research problems and methods of qualitative and quantitative research. They know how to implement a research process, taking ethical factors into consideration. They know how to use data collection methods for qualitative and quantitative research and analyse the data using SPSS software and basic methods of qualitative research. Students know how to report on and illustrate the results and present their conclusions for the development of elderly care practice and services.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Students are able to analyse the theoretical, methodological and ethical background of qualitative and quantitative research. They know how to implement and justify a research process. They select suitable material, plan the data collection and analyse the data using basic methods of qualitative research and SPSS software. Students know how to report on and illustrate the results and present their conclusions for the developent of elderly care practice and services.

Qualifications

Introduction to Research and Development