Research Methods and Skills (5 ECTS)

Objective

The purpose of the course is to improve the student's professional expertise, research and development skills, and expertise in critical argumentation and knowledge formation skills that can contribute to the field.

Objectives; the student
• is able to identify, evaluate and argue research and development needs from different angles
• can critically evaluate and utilise national and international research data and material for the purposes of working life development and RDI
• is familiar with the methods suitable for research and development projects in their field and can select the appropriate qualitative, quantitative or development methods for RDI projects
• is able to apply any chosen methods appropriately
• follows the principles of responsible conduct of research, data protection and research ethics and can apply the principles of open science and research in research and development activities
• is able to evaluate the reliability of the research and development project appropriately
• can communicate fluently about research and development issues
• can act with initiative and responsibility in multidisciplinary development networks and carry out various working life development projects.

Content

• Approaches to research and development work
• Identification and evaluation of research and development needs
• Systematic acquisition of information in research and development work
• Research and development processes and methods:
• Quantitative, qualitative and development methods
• Data collection, analysis, reliability and interpretation of data
• Research ethics, data protection and responsible conduct of research, and the principles of open science and research
• Communication and reporting of research and development work

Location and time

Fri, August 29. Research Methods and Skills ONLINE
Fri, September 19. Research Methods and Skills ONLINE
Thu, October 9. Research Methods and Skills ONLINE
Fri, November 14. Research Methods and Skills. ONLINE
Fri, December 12. Research Methods and Skills LIVE

Materials

Leavy, P. (2023). Research Design: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, Arts-Based, and Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches. New York, NY: The Guilford Press. --> The e-book is available online through the Metropolia library: https://metropolia.finna.fi/Record/nelli15.24866173200041/Versions --> Please sign in with your Metropolia username and password to access full text

Teaching methods

Interactive lectures, group work, indepedent work

Student workload

135h

40 hours seminars, 95 indepedent work (reading, writing a learning diary/essays, preparing a research plan)

Content scheduling

Online teaching, except for the final seminar of the course

By submitting an online exam or assignments for an online course, the student affirms that the demonstration of their competence is based on independent work and ethical conduct. Academic misconduct may result in suspension from the university of applied sciences for up to one year (Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014, Section 38).
To ensure the independent demonstration of competence in online courses, the teacher may, at their discretion, require the demonstration of competence under supervised conditions or through an oral exam.

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to identify and describe the needs and stages of research and development work in their field. The student is able to make use of relevant information in development work. The student is able to use and apply key concepts and methods in their field's research and development work. They are able to identify and take into account any data protection and research ethics issues. They can communicate and report on their research and development work. The student is able to, in cooperation with others, carry out research and development projects that develop working life.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student is able to analyse and argue the needs and stages of research and development work in their field. The student is able to compare, analyse and make use of relevant information purposefully in development work. The student is able to properly use key concepts and methods in their field's research and development work, and to apply them in a variety of ways. They adhere to data protection and research ethics guidelines. They communicate and report clearly on their research and development work. The student is able to carry out independent research and development projects that develop working life, and is capable of cooperation with others.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student is able to assess in a critical way and to argue from many angles the needs and stages of research and development work in their field. The student is able to critically analyse and assess relevant information and to apply it skillfully in development work. The student has excellent command of the key concepts and methods used in their field's research and development work, and is able to apply them in multiple and innovative ways. The students have internalised the data protection and research ethics guidelines, and develop operations that comply with them. They communicate and report convincingly on their research and development work. They are able to lead independent research and development projects and engage in constructive cooperation with others.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to identify and describe the needs and stages of research and development work in their field. The student is able to make use of relevant information in development work. The student is able to use and apply key concepts and methods in their field's research and development work. They are able to identify and take into account any data protection and research ethics issues. They can communicate and report on their research and development work. The student is able to, in cooperation with others, carry out research and development projects that develop working life.

Assessment methods and criteria

Pass/fail

Qualifications

Completed higher education degree (Bachelor level)