Study Guide

Objective

The course aims at providing an in-depth understanding of various methodological approaches used in business administration research. It will deal with the following elements: research design, theoretical approaches and empirical approaches.
After completing this course the student is able
- to define a purpose for the research, define a research design and plan a research and development project as well as justify the choices
- to identify and describe the main research approaches and choose the appropriate one for her/his research problem
- to perform a litterature study
- to choose and apply an appropriate methodology
- to evaluate the validation of the research and development
- present the research outcomes, write a report with a sense of authority, present research results

Content

- research concepts
- different types of approaches
- research and development planning
- data collection - quantitative/qualitative, mixed; data analysis
- quality issues and ethics in the research
- writing a research report/a master's thesis

Materials

Relevant research literature
Pirkko Anttila's publications
Eriksson, P. & Kovalainen, A. 2008.Qualitative Methods in Business Research. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
Optima

Teaching methods

Blended learning, 2 contact days, virtual learning: Optima and Web

International connections

Self and peer assessments.

Student workload

Exercises of using different methods and literature
Research plan
Research report / draft - Master's thesis

Content scheduling

6.2.2020-30.5.2020
The course aims at providing an in-depth understanding of various methodological approaches used in research: research design, theoretical approaches and empirical approaches.
• research concepts
• different types of approaches
• research and development planning
• data collection - quantitative/qualitative, mixed; data analysis
• quality issues and ethics in the research, data management, IPR and GDPR
After completing this course the student is able
• to define a purpose for the research, define a research design and plan a research and development project as well as justify the choices
• to identify and describe the main research approaches and choose the appropriate one for her/his research problem
• to perform a litterature study
• to choose and apply an appropriate methodology
• to evaluate the validation of the research and development
present the research outcomes, write a report with a sense of authority, present research results

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Use of different methods and literature review
Research plan
Research report / draft
6.2.2020:
Master thesis
Research: Library / Finna
7.5.2020:
Presentations of Master thesis topics - argumentations, study plan

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

No participation, no returned tasks.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Student understands partly the certain rules concerning the ethics and principles of research work.
Participation of one of the contact sessions.
The tasks have been done.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Student understands and is capable to follow the certain rules concerning the ethics and principles of research work.
Participation of the contact sessions.
The tasks have been returned on time and they show the learning outcome .

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Student is capable to implement the ethics and principles of research work.
Active participation of the contact sessions.
All the tasks have been returned on time and they show excellent learning outcome.