Research Work Methods (7 cr)

Objectives (course unit)

During the course the students become acquainted with qualitative and quantitative research (qualitative 2, quantitative & research 5). The course includes a research exercise.

Course Learning Outcomes:
After completing the course students
- are familiar with the basics of research and know the main differences between qualitative and quantitative research
- are able to design and implement practical, applied research according to research ethics in a sustainable way
- are able to modify the research material into a perception matrix
- are able to use the statistical program to produce and interpret the most common statistical presentations
- are able to evaluate the reliability of the results.

Content (course unit)

What are the basics of research study and research ethics?
What are the different steps involved in doing research?
What are the different research methods and strategies?
How are the issues discussed by the theory measured as accurately as possible?
How can research findings be obtained?
How to implement a working questionnaire?
How can the presentability of the sample be affected?
How do different types of statistical variables differ?
How can the distributions be visualized?
What are the principles of statistical reasoning?
How can the reliability of research results be measured?
How is the observation data analyzed by a statistical program?

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2) (course unit)

The student recognizes the steps of qualitative and quantitative research. The student is able to produce or interpret the spreadsheets describing the observation material, as well as the simplest statistical patterns and indicators. The student is able to participate in qualitative or quantitative research.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4) (course unit)

The student is able to design and implement a small-scale qualitative or quantitative research. The student is able to produce and interpret the distribution tables and patterns of two variables. The student is able to choose suitable methods and methods for the variable type.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5) (course unit)

The student is able to plan and conduct qualitative or quantitative research. The student is able to produce the summaries required for research questions from the observation material and is able to evaluate the reliability of the results.

Location and time

Lectures according to the timetable.
Depending on the situation, Zoom / Teams online meetings if necessary.
More detailed schedule and teaching facilities lukkarit.tamk.fi

Exam schedules

Basics of research work and qualitative research:
During the part, mini-exams to be completed in stages in Moodle (3 pcs.)
- material exams (free use of material during the exam)
- no re-exams
- more detailed information in the section Moodle.

Quantitative research:
Exam 27.11.2024 at 14-17
1st retake 11.12.2024 at 11-14
2nd retake 21.01.2024 at 17-20

Evaluation methods and criteria

Weighted average of parts; all parts to be performed acceptably.
Rating and part weights:
Basics of research work and qualitative research: 0-5; weight 30% learning tasks
Quantitative research: 0-5; weight 70%, exercises and exam.
Practical research project: Passed/Failed; approved performance corresponds to a grade of 3.

Assessment scale

0-5

Teaching methods

Lectures, exams, explanatory videos, practice tasks and their reporting
Face-to-face teaching and class exercises
Depending on the situation, possibly distance learning online (Moodle/Zoom/Teams)
Pair and group work
Independent study
Exercise research

Learning materials

Recommended learning material in Moodle.
In order to study, you must have a computer, Internet connection, camera and microphone at your disposal.
In addition, applications are used in the study, the download links of which can be found on TAMK's intranet or for which an ID is created online.
Teaching material, links to explanatory videos, support material and literature information are in Moodle.
In addition to the material contained in Moodle:
Laadullinen tutkimus: Tuomi & Sarajärvi - Laadullinen tutkimus ja sisällönanalyysi (valitut osat).
Määrällinen tutkimus: Heikkilä - Tilastollinen tutkimus.

Student workload

Teaching and guidance for about 48 hours. Student's independent work about 139 hours.

Completion alternatives

CreTa (See study guide)

Further information

Teachers:
Part 1, Boedeker: Basics of Research and Qualitative Research. Teaching completely remotely with Zoom.
Part 2, Kaatiala: A quantitative study. The teaching is completely face-to-face. For each participating attendance, you get +0.5 points (maximum 4 points) for the final exam of the course (maximum 36 points).

More detailed information in Moodle. Each part/teacher has their own Moodle.

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

Suoritus on hylätty, jos opiskelija saa hylätyn tai nollan yhdestä tai useammasta osiosta, jotka ovat:
1. Tutkimustyön perusteet ja laadullinen tutkimus
2. Määrällinen tutkimus
3. Käytännön tutkimusprojekti

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

Opiskelija tunnistaa, osaa määritellä ja käyttää opintojakson aihepiirin käsitteitä ja malleja. Tämä ilmenee siten, että kaikki kolme osiota on suoritettu hyväksyttävästi ja seuraavien kahden osion painotettu keskiarvo on 1-2 kunkin osion erillisten kriteerien mukaisesti.
- Tutkimustyön perusteet ja laadullinen tutkimus 30 %
- Määrällinen tutkimus 70%

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

Opiskelija osaa määritellä hyvin opintojakson aihepiirin käsitteitä ja malleja ja pystyy tekemään perusteltua analyysiä. Opiskelijalla on valmiuksia soveltaa oppimaansa.
Tämä ilmenee siten, että kaikki kolme osiota on suoritettu hyväksyttävästi ja seuraavien kahden osion painotettu keskiarvo on 3-4 kunkin osion erillisten kriteerien mukaisesti.
- Tutkimustyön perusteet ja laadullinen tutkimus 30 %
- Määrällinen tutkimus 70%

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

Opiskelija hallitsee kiitettävästi opintojakson aihepiirin käsitteet ja mallit. Opiskelija osaa analysoida sujuvasti ja perustellusti. Opiskelijalla on hyvät valmiudet soveltaa oppimaansa. Tämä ilmenee siten, että kaikki kolme osiota on suoritettu hyväksyttävästi ja seuraavien kahden osion painotettu keskiarvo on 5 kunkin osion erillisten kriteerien mukaisesti.
- Tutkimustyön perusteet ja laadullinen tutkimus 30 %
- Määrällinen tutkimus 70%