Research and Development Methods (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

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 (for example):
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

The Master's Thesis research plan is carried out as a recorded presentation, which will be peer-reviewed by five students.

11.9.2025 9-11 Qualitative methods/Erkkilä-Häkkinen
18.9.2025 9-11 Qualitative methods/Erkkilä-Häkkinen
9.10.2025 9-11 Qualitative methods/Erkkilä-Häkkinen
30.10.2025 9-11 Qualitative methods/Erkkilä-Häkkinen
13.11.2025 9-11 Quantitative methods/Kuikka
25.11.2025 9-11 Quantitative methods/Kuikka
4.12.2025 9-12 Quantitative methods/Kuikka
12.12.2025 13-16 Quantitative methods/Kuikka

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)

APA Style. (n.d.). Https://Apastyle.Apa.Org. Retrieved May 29, 2024, from https://apastyle.apa.org

Quantitative methods:

Burke, S.E., & Silvestrini, R.T. (2017). The Certified Quality Engineer Handbook. ASQ Quality Press. Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Herzog, M.H., Francis, G., & Clarke, A. (2019). Understanding Statistics and Experimental Design - How to Not Lie with Statistics. Springer Open. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03499-3
Kronthaler, F., & Zöllner, S. (2021). Data Analysis with RStudio - An Easy going Introduction. Springer Spectrum and R Studio. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-62518-7

Scientific articles

Qualitative research methods, for example:
Auerbach, C., & Silverstein, L.B. (2003). Qualitative Data: An Introduction to Coding and Analysis. New York University Press.
Dey, I. (2005). Qualitative Data Analysis: a user-friendly guide for social scientists. Taylor & Francis.
Eriksson, P., & Kovalainen, A. (2008). Qualitative Methods in Business Research. SAGE Publications.
Klenke, K., Martin, S., & Wallace, J.R. (2016). Qualitative Research in the Study of Leadership. (Second Edition). Emerald.

And other materials provided on itsLearning.

Teaching methods

- Individual and team work
- Exercises
- Self- and peer-assessments
- Discussions
- Presentations

Exam schedules

None.

International connections

Study Groups, Project-based learning
Individual and group assignments

When considering the thesis topic and the content of it, sustainability issues are reminded

Completion alternatives

If necessary, this can be arranged during the IPS discussion or by agreement with the course teacher.

Student workload

Face-to-face lectures (16 h)

Individual learning task: video lectures for qualitative, and quantitative research and development methods and online tests related to lectures on Itslearning 36 h

Task-related to your thesis plan 56 h:
- Individual learning task: reading task
-Individual learning task: preliminary assignments for each class (related to your research topic)
-Individual learning task: homework assignments after each class (related to your research topic)
- Individual learning task: research plan and presentation of the research (related to your research topic)
- Individual learning task: opposing and opposing reports of fellow students


Group project task: Delphi study: 27 h

Total 135 h

The workload indicates the average workload required to achieve the course's learning objectives and the grade 3/5. Depending on the student's previous knowledge and experience, the workload may be less or more. The competence acquired in the course will be assessed through assignments and other deliverables, not through the number of hours worked.

Further information

ItsLearning
Sirpa Erkkilä-Häkkinen(sirpa.erkkila-hakkinen@turkuamk.fi)
Matti Kuikka (matti.kuikka@turkuamk.fi)