Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:

- approach the complex development challenges of organization, economy, and technology by systems thinking
- formulate research problem and research questions for developmental challenges
- search, summarize, and refer to the previous relevant research of the discipline
- apply the methods and tools for acquiring qualitative and quantitative information required in development
- analyse, refine and present the collected information to support decision-making
- evaluate the validity, reliability, and ethics of the information and research
- plan, initiate, and execute the necessary development procedures (thesis project)
- apply the methods and tools on continuous development

Content

- Description of complexity
- Technical, social, and economic systems
- Systems analysis and description
- Triangulation
- Knowledge based development: data collection methods
- Knowledge based development: analysing data and presenting knowledge
- Research ethics
- Modelling and developing operations as a system

Location and time

15.9.2023 8.30-12.00
16.9.2023 13-16.15
29.9.2023 13-16.15
30.9.2023 13-16.15
13.10.2023 13-16.15
14.10.2023 13-16.15
8.12 2023 13-16.15
9.12.2023 13-16.15

Materials

Relevant literature: books, articles - own choice
Eriksson, P. & Kovalainen, A. 2008.Qualitative Methods in Business Research. London: SAGE Publications Ltd

Teaching methods

Individual and group work, peer assessments,
- acquaintance of relevant approaches, research and analysis methods and tools with a help of scientific publications, seminars etc.: action research, content analysis, interviews, observations, surveys, swot, coding...
- possible collaboration with organizations and companies
- planning of the upcoming thesis

Exam schedules

Assignments instead of exams.

Completion alternatives

According to the principles of credit transfer.

Student workload

Qualitative research:
Research and analysis methods and tools
Selected presentations during the contact lessons
Thesis idea: a draft and 2 opposing reports.

Academic writing: a draft

Quantitative statistics and research: analysis methods

Content scheduling

Research methods:
Qualitative and quantitative methods
Academic English
Preparation for the Master’s thesis / Seminars:
Implementation plan:
Content:
- different types of approaches
- research principles
- different research methods
- research and development planning
- data collection - quantitative and or qualitative, mixed; data analysis
- quality issues and ethics in the research, data management, IPR and GDPR
- literature search, evaluation and use of the appropriate research methods for projects and master's thesis

Further information

Responsible teacher from Tuas Ulla Seppälä-Kavén.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Objects, timing and methods of assessment
Evaluation of the assignments and participation activity
Self and peer assessments

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

No participation to the contact lessons
Quantity: Assignments are not completed to an acceptable level and or not returned assignments - instructions have not been followed
Quality: The minimum learning objectives are not met (look at the course description

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Participation to the contact lessons
Communication and reflection are acceptable
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability - assignments partly done according to the instructions

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Active participation to the contact lessons
Communication and reflection are good
General understanding of theory and application - assignments done according to the instructions

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Very active participation to the contact lessons
Outstanding communication, reflection and application of theory in practice - assignments done according to the instructions and returned on time -by the deadline

Qualifications

No prerequisites.