Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:
· to search and utilize scientific literature
· to identify and describe the main research and development approaches and analysis methods
· to choose and apply an appropriate methodology for his/her work
· to evaluate the validation of the research and development
· to write a scientific report
· to understand the significance of research data

Content

The emphasis on content may vary depending on implementation and field of study:
· Introduction to research including ethics
· Literature search and review
· Developing a research plan
· Research Ethics and Research Integrity
· Survey research methods
· Data analysis, statistical methods
· Research presentation

Materials

Academic Conventions:
Different writing related online resources as an example: Academic Phrases for Writing Results & Discussion Sections of a Research Paper. (n.d.). https://www.ref-n-write.com/blog/research-paper-example-writing-results-discussion-section-academic-phrasebank-vocabulary/ (retrieved on 21APR2021)


Ouantitative methods:

Michael H. Herzog, Gregory Francis, Aaron Clarke. Understanding Statistics and Experimental Design - How to Not Lie with Statistics. Springer Open. 2019 ISBN 978-3-030-03498-6 ISBN 978-3-030-03499-3 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03499-3

Sarah E. Burke and Rachel T. Silvestrini. The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook. ASQ Quality Press Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2017
Franz Kronthaler, Silke Zöllner. Data Analysis with RStudio - An Easy going Introduction. Springer Spectrum and R Studio. 2021 ISBN 978-3-662-62517-0 ISBN 978-3-662-62518-7 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-62518-7.

Understanding Statistics and Experimental Design

This open access textbook teaches essential principles that can help all readers generate statistics and correctly interpret the data. It offers a valuable guide for students of bioengineering, bio...

Scientific articles

Qualitative research methods:

Eriksson, P. & Kovalainen, A. 2008.Qualitative Methods in Business Research. London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

Klenke, K., Martin, S. and Wallace, J.R. 2016. Qualitative Research in the Study of Leadership: Second Edition. Bingley: Emerald.

Auerbach, C. & Silverstein, L.B. 2003. Qualitative Data : An Introduction to Coding and Analysis. New York: New York Univesity Press. ProQuest Ebook Central.

Dey, I. 2005. Qualitative Data Analysis: a user-friendly guide for social scientists. London: Taylor & Francis.

Teaching methods

Quantitative methods:
- Individual and team work
- Exercises
- Presentations

Qualitative research methods:
- individual and group work
- self- and peer-assessments
- discussions
- presentations

Exam schedules

None.

International connections

Study Groups

Quantitative methods:
- Individual and group assignments

Qualitative research methods:
- Individual and group assignments

Completion alternatives

None.

Student workload

Quantitative methods:
5 x 2 h online meetings + independent work and exercises

Qualitative research methods:
2 x 2 h online meetings + independent work individually and in groups
research and analysis methods and tools - exercises

2 x 3 h presentations of thesis plans and acting as opponents

Content scheduling

- Academic Conventions (APA7)

Quantitative methods:
- Empirical research, steps of quantitative research and research design
- Measurement, questionnaire
- Sampling, statistical description, observation matrix, frequency
- Variables of the variable,
- Graphical presentation
- Statistical inference
- Hypotheses
- Correlations between variables
- Testing of means
- Research framework, research tasks, research problems, research questions, research hypotheses
- Reporting the research findings
- Reporting the results of the study
- The evaluation part of the study in the report

Qualitative Research:
Content:
- different types of approaches and research principles
- qualitative research and analysis methods: interviews, benchmarking, questionnaires with open questions, workshops / brainstorming, content analysis with coding
- 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


Master's Thesis research plan (academic conventions) and opposing - presentations
29.8.2023 9-11 Quantitative methods/ Salokangas
31.8.2023 8-10 Quantitative methods/ Salokangas
11.9.2023 8-10 Quantitative methods/ Salokangas
25.9.2023 8-10 Quantitative methods /Salokangas
9.10.2023 8-10 Quantitative methods/ Salokangas
24.10.2023 8-10 Quantitative methods / Salokangas
7.11.2023 8-11 Qualitative Research / Seppälä-Kavén
21.11.2023 8-11 Qualitative Research /Seppälä-Kavén
5.12.2023 8-11 Presentations of thesis research plan Salokangas, Seppälä-Kavén
12.12.2023 8-11 Presentations of thesis research plan Salokangas, Seppälä-Kavén

Further information

ItsLearning

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

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

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Communication and reflection are acceptable - assignments partly done according to the instructions.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Communication and reflection are good - assignments done according to the instructions.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Outstanding communication, reflection and application - assignments done according to the instructions and returned on time -by the deadline.