Study Guide

Objective

Students master the means of critical thinking required of actors at expert level. Students can apply critical thinking to solving and making decisions on practical problems related to development.

Students are aware of the conceptual approaches related to social work and its comprehensive development and know how to apply them to development activities. Students are familiar with the paradigm of research in social services as well as values, traditions and methodological restrictions related to them. Students can apply the principles of the development of social services to their own actions.

Students are proficient in the initiation of a development project and the principles and practices of planning as well as are able to draw up a well justified and viable project plan. Students can define a problem/task to be solved/implemented by means of R&D methods. Students can assess the project plans and their viability as well as the significance of the results of the project from the viewpoint of professional development. Students can draw up a research plan in accordance with the principles of scientific reporting. Students are proficient in communication related to their area of expertise and the principles of academic writing as well as can communicate and produce pragmatic text meeting the demands of scientific criteria.

Content

Argumentation: logical structure and content; Critical perspective on knowledge; Sources and evaluation of knowledge; Scientific thinking; Philosophy of science regarding the social service sector; Paradigm and programmes of research in social services; Traditions, values and methodology in social services.

Topic/Initial ideas for the Master’s thesis, basis for the research and development plan, project evaluation, defining problem, academic writing and communication, scientific reporting.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Research and development studies:

• analyses and evaluates critically knowledge relevant to social development as well as utilises it in development work
• masters central concepts and use of methods relevant to R&D in social services and knows how to apply them to work
• innovates, prepares and implements R&D projects as well as evaluates their effectiveness.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Research and development studies:

• analyses and evaluates critically national and international knowledge relevant to social development as well as utilises it in development work
• masters central concepts and use of methods relevant to R&D and knows how to apply them to work in a versatile manner
• innovates, prepares and implements R&D projects and evaluates their processes and effectiveness in cooperation with clients and partners.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Research and development studies:

• analyses and evaluates critically national and international knowledge relevant to social development as well as utilises it in a versatile manner to promote social welfare in society
• masters central concepts and use of methods relevant to R&D and knows how to apply them in a versatile manner and innovatively even to major R&D projects
• innovates, prepares and implements R&D projects in demanding operating environments as well as evaluates their processes and effectiveness in cooperation with clients and partners.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Research and development studies:

• analyses and evaluates critically knowledge relevant to social development as well as utilises it in development work
• masters central concepts and use of methods relevant to R&D in social services and knows how to apply them to work
• innovates, prepares and implements R&D projects as well as evaluates their effectiveness