Study Guide

Objective

• The students are commune with the research process and master the different phases of the research process
• The students command the most common qualitative and quantitative research methods
• The students have the preparedness to write a thesis, initially under supervision, and eventually more independently
• The students command the basics of quantitative research methods of retrieving, analyzing and presenting data

Content

Phases of Research Process
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods
Thesis
Data

Location and time

21.11.2024-19.2.2025 Campus Alere.

Quantitative methods: Autumn 2024
Qualitative methods, Jaana´s part: Spring 2025

Materials

Quantitative methods: the following literature is recommended: Denise F. Polit & Cheryl Tatano Beck. 2008. Nursing Research. Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing Practice. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluver., or other literature suggested by the examiner.

Jaana´s part: Study material and course literature on Moodle.
Denscombe, M. (2010). The good research guide: For small-scale social research projects (4th ed.). 1 ex.
Holme, I. M. & Solvang, B. K. (1997). 2 (uppl.). Forskningsmetodik. Om kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder.
Jakobsson, U. (2011). Forskningens termer och begrepp- en ordbok.
Olsson, H. & Sörensen, S. (2007). 2 (uppl.). Forskningsprocessen- kvalitativa och kvantitativa perspektiv.
Patel, R. & Davidson, B. (2011). 4 (uppl.). Forskningsmetodikens grunder. Att planera, genomföra och rapportera en undersökning.

In addition:
Databases through Finna.
Written instructions and previous thesis.
Current research within the industry.
According to the lecturer.

Teaching methods

Quantitative methods: lectures, exercises in computer class, as well as written assignment.

Jaana´s part: Lectures, workshops, research, guidance, narrative method, discussions and teamwork.

Employer connections

The students are encouraged to write thesis (idea plan) as commissioned work for working life.

Exam schedules

Quantitative methods: the written assignment must be submitted within a month of the date of the end of the course.

Jaana´s part, 3cr: Examination consists of submitted assignments, grade (0-5). Deadline in February and idea seminar February 13th 2025.
1. Idea Plan. Students present their own plan at idea seminar February 13th, 1cr, deadline for submission of work plan: the week before, February 6th 2025. Individual feedback is given after the seminar. Note! This plan can be required to be compensated after idea seminar, before given a grade.
2. Opposition and Opponent Story. Students have read the appointed student's work plan and oppose the plan at the idea seminar, deadline: February 13th 2025. Grade and feedback are included in the opponent story's grade and feedback. Students write an opponent story for the appointed student's work plan (same as above), 1cr, deadline: February 13th 2025. Feedback and grade are given via Moodle.
3. Active participation in teaching/workshops, 1cr.

Instructions for the examinations are given by each teacher at the beginning of course part.

Completion alternatives

Quantitative methods: written assignment (graded according to the scale 1-5)

Jaana´s part: Approved assignments (grade 0-5): own thesis plan, opposition and opposed written essay of thesis plan. Own thesis plan is presented and opposed at idea seminar in February 2025. Individual feedback is given on the thesis plan after the seminar.

Student workload

Quantitative methods:
The students work 27 hours/cp.
In class: 12h
Self study: 42h
Total: 54h

Jaana´s part:
The students work 27 hours / cr.
In class: 21 hrs
Self study: 60 hrs
Total: 81 hrs

Further information

More information is given at course introduction.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Quantitative methods: based on the written assignment, the student's ability to understand and apply fundamental statistical concepts, and to perform a statistical analysis, is evaluated.

Jaana´s part: The course is evaluated based on grades (0-5) for assignments (individual and pair/team). The average of the grades for assignments form the final grade in the course.

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Quantitative methods: the student does not understand and cannot apply statistical concepts and cannot perform an adequate statistical analysis.

Jaana´s part: The student has not followed the instructions of the assignment and shows especially vague competences and understanding within the theme.
The assignments are inadequate or lacking.
The student has not participated or contributed anything during the course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Quantitative methods: notable weaknesses are found in the student's understanding and application of statistical concepts, or the statistical analysis is not adequately performed.

Jaana´s part: The student has partly followed the instructions of the assignments and demonstrates superficial competence and basic understanding of the subject.
The content of submitted assignments are satisfactory.
The student has participated in the course, but the commitment and activity have been low or satisfactory.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Quantitative methods: the student predominantly demonstrates a good understanding of and can apply statistical concepts, and only minor errors are found in the statistical analysis.

Jaana´s part: The student has almost or has fulfilled the instructions of the assignments and demonstrates good or eminently good competence and good understanding within the subject.
The content of submitted assignments are good or eminently good.
The student has participated or participated actively in the course and demonstrates commitment for content of the course and course assignments.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Quantitative methods: the student demonstrates a complete understanding of statistical concepts and makes only insignificant errors when applying them, and performs a statistical analysis without errors.

Jaana´s part: The student has fulfilled the instructions of the assignments and demonstrates excellent competence and a complete understanding within the subject.
The content of submitted assignments are excellent and exceptionally executed.
The student has been active during the course and demonstrates extra commitment and interest for content of the course and course assignments.

Qualifications

Research Methodology