Scientific Methods (3 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

After completing this course student
- knows the principles of scientific research: qualitative and quantitative research and can identify a research study accordingly
- knows the different thesis forms at universities of applied sciences
- knows the main statistical analysis methods in experimental research and can use them in practise
- knows the procedure of the thesis process at TAMK and requirements of a thesis
- can plan an experimental research study

Content (course unit)

Bachelor's thesis process at TAMK, research and data acquisition methods, data analysis, planning the thesis, work life connections

Prerequisites (course unit)

5E00BF83 Writing Scientific Reports in English, 5N00BG05 Statistics or corresponding courses from other university.

Location and time

6.11.-22.12.2018

Exam schedules

Web exam open 18.-22.12.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Evaluation is based on continuous performance. The following tasks affect evaluation: research plan including literature search review (20 %), report (mini-thesis + self-evaluation) (30 %), presentation (20 %), evaluating a bachelor thesis (15 %), final exam (15 %).

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

The course simulates thesis process in small scale. All phases: topic searching, planning the research setting, studying background literature, doing research, reporting the study, presenting the results and giving and receiving feedback are covered. Lectures, individual and group tasks make up the whole.

Learning materials

Course materials distributed through Tabula.
Ford, E. D. 2000 Scientific method for ecological research. https://tamk.finna.fi/Record/oma.451083

Student workload

About 30 hrs contact teaching 6 hrs seminar work. Individual work about 45 hrs

Completion alternatives

To be discussed with Eveliina Asikainen

Assessment criteria - fail (0) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student has not returned all tasks

Assessment criteria - satisfactory (1-2) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student clearly demands help in many phases of the research process. The submissions show narrow or incomplete understanding of the connection between research questions, background literature, choice of methodology, study design, reporting and concluding. Student shows some knowledge of of conceptual and theoretical thinking in doing research.

Assessment criteria - good (3-4) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student is able to write clear research documents. (S)He can justify the decisions on methods, context or study approach. The student is able to find useful resources and design a study which can be put into practice. The student is able to present results and draw reasonable conclusions based on the results. Student make choices about the research methods, but uses concepts and arguments is lightly.

Assessment criteria - excellent (5) (Not in use, Look at the Assessment criteria above)

Student is able to write well-argued and easily understandable research documents. (S)he is able to justify the decisions and critically reflect upon choices. The student shows critical thinking and reflection of sources of information and creativity combined with critical self-reflection in the study design, interpretation of results and drawing conclusions. Students understands underlying differences of qualitative and quantitative research and is able to choose a research strategy which suits the research questions.