Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- formulate and clarify the research topic
- formulate the research design
- use secondary data
- collect primary data through interviews
- collect primary data through questionnaires
- analyze qualitative and quantitative data
- write and present the project report

Implementation and methods of teaching

Research methods and reporting will be carried out as a virtual course. In this course students will learn how to perform a research project and all the necessary methodological skills for their future bachelor's thesis. Students will learn how to identify the topic and develop the research questions based on their topic of interest. In addition, different methods and tools for collecting and analysing data will be dealt with in the course.
As well as the on-line lectures there will be individual assignments that will involve the main skills required for research, presenting results, critically reviewing what has been written and available in the literature and ultimately to prepare students for whiting their own final thesis/ report.
Whenever possible and relevant the subject areas looked at will deal with the broader scientific fields of environmental technology, sustainability and circular economy.

Learning material and recommended literature

The course material is prepared based on scientific books and articles and other sources.Some useful background material:

Various publications on statistical theory and methods provide useful supportive reading.

Also publications such as:
Educational Research, Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Third Edition by John W. Creswell (2008)

Research Methods in Practice by Dahila K . Remler and Gregg G. Van Ryzin (2011)

All the course material will be uploaded in moodle soon after each session, as well as additional supporting material.

Alternative completion methods

Can be discussed with the lecturer if needed. Generally, the course can be followed through the recordings and material provided in cases where it is not possible to follow the lectures live. If not possible to participate in any live lectures a certain amount of additional written reporting can be foreseen.

Student time use and work load

The total workload for this course is 135 hours (5 ECTS credits). The main part of the study module´s work load consists of independent about 115 hours (including individual assignments and a certain amount of small group work). The time allocation for contact learning is18 hours.

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No

Assessment criteria

Evaluation will be based on a variety of research-based individual written tasks, presentation activity and a certain amount of groupwork with reporting.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

Assignments are not performed or they do not fulfill the criteria of the course.

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student
- identifies the principles related to the preparation of a bachelor’s thesis /report
- is able to present a supervised research plan for the thesis
- is able to use source materials and research methods with the assistance of supervision
- is able to use professional source material to a certain extent
- is able to utilise the key principles of scientific writing with supervision.

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student
- is able to identify and present the principles related to the preparation of a bachelor’s thesis /report
- is able to prepare a feasible research plan for the thesis
- is able to evaluate to some extent source materials and research methods
- is able to use scientific and professional source material
- is able to apply fairly well the key principles of scientific writing.

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

The student
- is able to critically identify and present the principles related to the preparation of a bachelor’s thesis /report
- is able to draw up an independent and feasible research plan for the thesis
- is able to critically evaluate possible source materials and research methods
- is able to successfully use international and scientific as well as professional source materials
- masters the key principles of scientific writing.

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- formulate and clarify the research topic
- formulate the research design
- use secondary data
- collect primary data through interviews
- collect primary data through questionnaires
- analyze qualitative and quantitative data
- write and present the project report

Implementation and methods of teaching

Research method course is a virtual course. Through this course students will learn how to do a successful research project. Students will learn how to identify the topic and develop the research questions based on their topic of interest. In addition, different methods and tools for collecting and analyzing data will be discussed during the course.
This course is interactive course and the major work and learning will occur during the lecturing sessions through different workshops and assignments. In addition, there will be individual assignments as a review of each lecture.
The final project counts as 50% of the final grade which will be done in a group of 3-4 students on the topic of interest for research. Also each group has to review one other group's final report as a peer and will present in the day of final presentation.
40% of the final grade relates to the assignments (individual and group).
More detailed and descriptive information will be uploaded in moodle.

Timing and attendance

The course is held during the Spring semester 09.01 - 26.04.2023. The course detailed timetable and schedule will be provided in moodle. Active participation of the course is 10% of the final grade.

Learning material and recommended literature

The course material is prepared based on scientific books and articles and other sources. The books used for teaching this course are:

Educational Research, Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Qualitative and Quantitative Research, Third Edition by John W. Creswell (2008)

Research Methods in Practice by Dahila K . Remler and Gregg G. Van Ryzin (2011)

All the course materials will be uploaded in moodel after each session including the additional learning material.

Alternative completion methods

Can be discussed with the instructor. Students should inform the teacher ASAP to discuss

Exam retakes

NO Exam

Learning environment

Online learning platform, ZOOM and Teams.

Student time use and work load

The average work load for this course is estimated to be 135 hours (5 ECTS). The main part of the study module´s work load consists of independent and group work, about 115 hours (including individual assignments and final group work). The time allocation for contact learning is about 20 hours.

Contents

SO YOU'RE GOING TO DO A RESEARCH PROJECT?
This course will help you:
- To learn the nature of research
- To identify your topic
- To develop your research question based on your topic of interest
- To develop a research hypotheses, goals and objectives
- To learn how to design and structure your study
- To choose the methods and tools based on your study
- To collect data and analyse the data
- To interpret the data and report

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

No

Assessment criteria

A minimum of 50 points is required to pass the course.

Assessment scale

1-5

Failed (0)

less than 50p is fail 0

Assessment criteria: level 1 (assessment scale 1–5)

Grade 1: 50 - 59 p
Grade 2: 60 - 69 p

Assessment criteria: level 3 (assessment scale 1–5)

Grade 3: 70 - 79 p
Grade 4: 80 - 89 p

Assessment criteria: level 5 (assessment scale 1–5)

Grade 5 requires a minimum of 90 p