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.