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

Online lectures and workshops in Zoom or Teams, please check the link from Oma/Moodle.

Qualitative & quantitative research methods and research communication are implemented as distance learning in Moodle learning environment.

Materials

Lecture notes
As methodological manuals for action research:
Coghlan D. 2019, Doing Action Research in your own organization, SAGE Publications Ltd.
Chevalier, J & Buckles, D. 2019 Participatory Action Research : Theory and Methods for Engaged Inquiry. Taylor & Francis Group
Kananen J. 2013 Action Research as Thesis Research (Applied Action Research), A Practical Guide for Thesis Research, Publications of JAMK University of Applied Sciences Series
McNiff, J. & Whitehead, J. 2013 Action Research. Routledge. (eBook available in finna.metropolia.fi).
McNiff, J. & Whitehead, J. 2001. Action Research in Organisations. London: Routledge. (eBook available in finna.metropolia.fi)
Rauch, F. 2014. Promoting Change through Action Research. SensePublishers. (eBook available in finna.metropolia.fi)
Stringer, E. & Ortiz A. 2021. Action research. Fifth edition. Los Angeles ; London: SAGE

International Journal of Action Research. Mering: Hampp. (access via finna.metropolia.fi)

Literature on qualitative and quantitative methods informed separaterly at the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures, videos, assignments, online workshops in Moodle.

Employer connections

N/A

Exam schedules

Will be announced later.

International connections

N/A

Completion alternatives

N/A

Student workload

Lectures and online materials 40 h

Independent work and literature 40 h

Preparing assignments 50 h

Content scheduling

The objectives and the content of the course, assignments and assessment will be discussed during the first lesson.

Further information

Prerequisites:
Completion of this course is a prerequisite for starting the thesis process in the Public Procurement master´s degree programme. During the course a research and development plan will be developed and evaluated. Once it is approved and presented as part of the course, the student will be authorised to submit a topic proposal to WIHI-system and will be assigned a thesis supervisor and the thesis process can begin.

The action research component of the course cannot be substituted for previous university-level Research Methods courses.

Evaluation scale

0-5

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

100 points based on assignments:

1) Research communication test: pass/fail (has to be passed to pass the course)
2) Test on quantitative and qualitative methods and GDPR issues in total 40p
3) Action research related assignments 60 p

Assessment scale used:
50 -59 = 1
60-69 = 2
70 - 79 = 3
80 - 89 = 4
90 -100 = 5

Qualifications

Completed higher education degree (Bachelor level)