Study Guide

Objective

Student will be able to define and implement different concepts of research and various research methods. Student can independently utilise different opportunities of information retrieval in his/her own field and is able to critically evaluate different information. Student has basic knowledge of analysis and is able to carry out a statistical research including research plan, implementing and reporting. He is also able to evaluate the results of the work and the whole process. Student can take into consideration the ethics of the research work. Student knows the conventions of academic writing and is able to draw up a research report which meets the demands of the style and the structure. Student has skills for producing thesis.

Content

- implementation of basic research concepts and methods
- web search, databases and information sources of the field
- evaluation and developing of the information retrieval, evaluation and use of the information
- academic writing: structure, style and language, sources and citation
- basics of statistical mathematics and statistics
- compilation of statistical research Project
- development methods and reporting

Materials

SeUAS Thesis guidelines
SeUAS Instructions for written work
Hirsjärvi, S., Remes, P. & Sajavaara, P. Latest edition. Tutki ja kirjoita.
Vilkka H. Latest edition. Tutki ja kehitä.
Heikkilä, T. Latest edition. Tilastollinen tutkimus.
Other material will be announced in the beginning of the course

Teaching methods

Research project, lectures, guided exercises

Employer connections

Project work is based on the case from working life

Student workload

work amount 135 h
- lectures and guided exercises 38 h
- independent working 97 h

Evaluation scale

1-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Students know the basics and methods of research and development work. They can collect research data based on quantitative research material. They can describe the data with statistics program and report the results. Students can use some data acquisition methods and recognize some conventions of scientific texts. Students can compile a structurally acceptable written research report. Student knows how to to development project.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Students are able to use statistical and functional thesis methods and know the thesis process. They act according to the principles of scientific reasoning. They produce data collecting based on quantitative research material. They can describe the data with statistics program and report the results. They use some data acquisition methods and utilize the data. Students use the conventions of scientific texts in their own academic writing. They can compile a written research report structurally meeting the demands of a scientific text. Student can do development work.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Students can apply statistical thesis methods and manage the thesis process. Students apply the principles of scientific reasoning. They can produce data collecting based on quantitative research material. They can describe and analyze the data with statistics program, report the results and anlyse them versatily. They use different data acquisition methods independently, utilize and value the data critically. Student apply results of the quantitive research in his/her development project. Students apply the conventions of scientific texts in their own academic writing. They can compile a written research report meeting the demands of a scientific text. Students can compile a structurally acceptable written research report.

Assessment methods and criteria

The evaluation is based on the research report produced in the course:
Statistics and statistical data processing: accepted / rejected: partly based on the research report
Research project: research report and its public introduction, numeral evaluation according to SeUAS thesis criteria (the evaluation of the supervisor)
Study communication: research report (accepted/rejected)
Information retrieval: research report, abstract, (accepted/rejected)

Qualifications

Introduction to Research and Development
Introduction to Project Work