Opinto-opas

Objective

The student is able to plan, implement and evaluate a research and development project in co-operation with working life. The student is able to apply the research knowledge of the field and RDI methods to development and problem solving in working life. In his/her work, the student shows initiative and good development and change management skills. The student is able to work independently in expert positions of the field and as a developer and reformer of working life.

The student produces a written report of the research and development project and has good oral and written professional communication skills. In the maturity test the student demonstrates good knowledge of the thesis’ subject area and is able to communicate the results in a professional manner.

Content

All parts of the thesis process according to degree programme guidelines: workshops, seminars, individual and group supervision, maturity test.

The maturity test can be a press release, a publishable article, an executive summary or other informative text. The student agrees the form and target audience of the maturity test together with the thesis supervisor.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

• The goals of the project are defined in an understandable way and the goals are met, at least partially. The work will have substance to develop the activities related to the co-operating organization, professional field or the area.
• The knowledge displayed will be partly disconnected from the development work and the reached conclusions. Crucial source information is missing. Research and development methods seem to be routinely applied.
• Conclusions are made based on the research material and both the results and the main points are presented. The work ponders on the applicability of the results, however, they remain cursory.
• The whole is well outlined but the work does not proceed according to goals.
• The independent development remains unsubstantial as well as the co-operation between the key operators.
• The process and the output are assessed in a rather limited manner
• The structure and language use are not perfect. The linguistic expression does not have great fluency.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

• The goals are clearly defined. The final thesis will concretely develop the work of the partner organization and the work is interesting for the field and/ or the areal development. The work spans from defining the development needs to well-grounded suggestions that have value in their applicability.
• The foundation for information is both relevant and versatile. The foundation for information directs the development of the action in a natural way. The chosen research and development methods are applicable to one’s work and they are used in a correct way.
• Well justified conclusions are drawn on the basis of the research material and the conclusions. They are also clearly presented. The applicability of the results into a wider context is also pondered on.
• The work process is developed in an organized manner. Development work is executed both independently as well as a research based manner in successful co-operation with others. The process and its result is assessed.
• The language use is impeccable, appropriate for an expert text with a great organization. The layout is impeccable and the language use is fluent.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

• High goals are set for the work. The work successfully renews operations in the partner organization and it is important for the profession or the areal development. The work spans from defining the development needs to engaging in the development research process and finally to applying the results.
• The database is relevant and versatile also includes international literature. The data base guides the development project in a natural way. The selected research and development methods are applied in an exceptionally successful manner.
• The conclusions based on the research material are deep and they are presented in an insightful manner. The work ponders on the applicability to a larger professional and work life context.
• Mastering the process related to planning and execution is reliable, constructive, and professional. Both the process and the output are critically assessed.
• The work comprises a unified whole. The results are persuasively communicated to the key target groups. The language use in the thesis is both fluent and accurate. The layout is of high quality.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

In a failing grade:
• The goals of the work are not conveyed to the reader. There is no customer-oriented approach to be found in the thesis or a link to the organization nor development strategies in the professional field or in the area. The significance of the thesis remains low for the employer.
• The informative foundation is missing or the presented information is not linked to developing operations. The work does not reveal how research and development methods were applied, or alternatively the description is rational or application is illogical.
• There are no reported results. Areas where the results are applied cannot be found.
• The work is a description of the process, where methods, research material, and their concrete development processes are missing. Evaluating the process and the produced work is missing. The professional dialogue is not goal oriented.
• The final work does not meet the criteria set for expert communication in the field related to communication, language use and/or layout.

Qualifications

Research methods and tools 5 ECTS credits or equivalent research and development studies. Sufficient knowledge of the subject matter.

Further information

The areas of assessment are:
• The significance of the work to the working life partner, professional field, and/or to the development of the area
• Utilising of information sources and methodological skills
• Results and conclusions
• Mastering the research and development process
• Communication skills, language, presentation and form of the thesis