Qualitative Research and How to Implement a Development Project (3cr)

Evaluation scale

Passed/failed

Objective

The student recognizes the differences between scientific research, research development work, and everyday development work. The student knows how to define the approaches, processes, and methods of qualitative research and development work. The student knows how to collect qualitative research data and analyze it, as well as recognize the principles related to ethics and reliability and follow them. The student knows how to plan an approach, methods, and processes suitable for his own research. The student knows how to create a research plan to implement a development project or qualitative research.

Content

- Reference framework and research layout for research development work
- Methods used in development work
- Data collection methods and analysis of qualitative research
- Interpretation of qualitative research and reporting of findings
- Questions related to ethics and reliability
- Preparing a research plan

Location and time

FULLY INDEPENDENT ONLINE STUDY

The study is conducted online in the Moodle learning environment. The study is carried out independently at your own pace during the implementation period. The study does not include joint meetings or pair or group work. The study requires independent work and scheduling.

Materials

- Study material is available in Moodle learning environment

- Tietoarkisto. Laadullisen tutkimuksen verkkokäsikirja. Saatavilla: https://www.fsd.tuni.fi/fi/palvelut/menetelmaopetus/kvali/

- Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulu. Kirjallisten töiden ohje. Saatavilla: https://seamk.libguides.com/KirjallistenToidenOhje

Teaching methods

FULLY INDEPENDENT ONLINE STUDY:

The study is going on during all academic year. You can start the course, when you have done a topic analysis for your thesis. You can start the course whenever during academic year.

The course includes video lessons and weekly exercises. Exercises are related to your own thesis topic and finally they'll form a research plan. The aim of is, that eventually all participants will have ready research plan, when course is done. Research plan content is usable for thesis too, especially for the methodology part of the thesis and seminar presentation. In the end of the course there will be a Moodle -exam too.

Exam schedules

The exam is available in Moodle learning environment, in the end of the study. Research plan will be uploaded to Moodle learning environment too. If retake is needed, you can set the time with a teacher.

Completion alternatives

The completion methods are described in more detail in the Moodle learning environment.

Student workload

The workload of the study is designed so that one credit corresponds to an average of 27 hours of student work to achieve the learning objectives. The actual time required varies individually, e.g., due to prior knowledge.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Pass:
The student participates in classroom work quite actively and presents own opinions occasionally.
The student understands the body of developmental research and the developmental approaches quite good.
Students can use developmental methods fairly comprehensively.
Students can plan, analyze and report qualitative research on the good standard.

Qualifications

Introduction to research and development
You can start the course when your thesis supervisor has approved the topic of the thesis.