Study Guide

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the students are able to - understand the basic concepts of philosophy of science and research - understand the specific features of qualitative and quantitative research - define and plan research objectives and choose the research approach based on those objectives - apply focal methods of qualitative and quantitative research on gathering and analysis of empirical material - report the methods and research results related to qualitative and quantitative research - analyze the quality, reliability and validity of qualitative and quantitative research.

Implementation and methods of teaching

Pre-recorded online lectures 28 h, independent reading and preparation for lectures 20 h, online hands-on sessions and independent work on qualitative data analysis 6 h, independent (with the help of videos and other material) hands-on sessions on quantitative data analysis 6 h, group work for two assignments 100 h. Total workload for student 160 h.

Learning material and recommended literature

Lecture slides and other distributed material. Saunders, M, Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2009). Research methods for business students, 5th ed. (or later edition), FT/Prentice Hall.

Contents

- Basic principles of philosophy of science - The objectives of doing research - Research process - Choice of research methods - The specific features of qualitative and quantitative research - Data gathering, methods, analysis and reporting - Assessing the quality of research

Additional information for students: previous knowledge etc.

Teachers: Argyro Almpanopoulou, Mika Vanhala

Link to the course brochure: https://sis-lut.funidata.fi/student/courseunit/otm-4e6e9313-df6a-4a22-913f-e7c782e90a00/brochure
The course is only for the Master’s level students. Students of the LAB University of Applied Sciences are eligible to enroll after they have completed all methodological courses in their study structure.

Assessment criteria

Grading passed/failed, Two assignments in groups and both assignments must be passed with acceptable evaluation.

Assessment scale

Approved/Failed