Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:
-approach the complex development challenges of organization, economy, and technology by systems thinking
-formulate research problem and research questions for developmental challenges
-search, summarize, and refer to the previous relevant research of the discipline
-apply the methods and tools for acquiring qualitative and quantitative information required in development
-analyse, refine and present the collected information to support decision-making
-evaluate the validity, reliability, and ethics of the information and research
-plan, initiate, and execute the necessary development procedures (thesis project)
-apply the methods and tools on continuous development

Content

-Description of complexity, Cynefin framework
-Technical, social, and economic systems
-Systems analysis and description
-Triangulation
-Knowledge based development: data collection methods
-Knowledge based development: analysing data and presenting knowledge
-Research ethics
-Modelling and developing operations as a system

Materials

Relevant literature: books, articles - own choice
Eriksson, P. & Kovalainen, A. 2008.Qualitative Methods in Business Research. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Teaching methods

Individual and group work, peer assessments,
- acquaintance of relevant methods:
scientific publications, interviews, observations, netnography, shadowing...
- possible collaboration with organizations and companies – new or ongoing throughout the studies: design tasks and research reports
- planning of the upcoming thesis

Exam schedules

Assignments instead of exams

International connections

Individual and group / team work, self- and peer-assessments
- individual and group assignments
- discussions
- presentations

Student workload

Qualitative research:
Research and analysis methods and tools
Selected presentations during the contact lessons
Thesis idea: a draft and 2 opposing reports.
Academic writing: draft
Quantitative statistics and research: Analysis methods

Content scheduling

Research methods:
Qualitative and quantitative methods
Academic English
Preparation for the Master’s thesis / Seminars:
Implementation plan:
Content:
- different types of approaches
- research principles
- different research methods
- research and development planning
- data collection - quantitative and or qualitative, mixed; data analysis
- quality issues and ethics in the research, data management, IPR and GDPR
- literature search, evaluation and use of the appropriate research methods for projects and master's thesis

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Evaluation of the assignments and participation activity
Self and peer assessments

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

No participation to the contact lessons
Quantity: Assignments are not completed to an acceptable level and or not returned assignments - instructions have not been followed
Quality: The minimum learning objectives are not met (look at the course description)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Participation to the contact lessons
Communication and reflection are acceptable
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability - assignments partly done according to the instructions

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Active participation to the contact lessons
Communication and reflection are good
General understanding of theory and application - assignments done according to the instructions

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Very active participation to the contact lessons
Outstanding communication, reflection and application of theory in practice - assignments done according to the instructions and returned on time -by the deadline