Applied Research and Development (5cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Schedule

• AUG 27 room 1003 – Orientation and Introduction session – recommended to participate
• SEP 10 room 1003 – participation is not obligatory but useful – topic: Qualitative research
• SEP 24 room 1003 – Learning café 1 – participation is required – topic Qualitative research
• OCT 8 room 1003 – participation is not obligatory but useful – topic: Action research
• OCT 22 room 1008 – Learning café 2 – participation is required – topic: Action research
• NOV 5 room 1004 - participation is not obligatory but useful – topic: Case study research
• NOV 19 room 1004 - Learning café 3 – participation is required – topic: Case study research
• DEC 3 room 1004 – Closing session – participation is required – Topic: Thesis/R&D Plan presentations in groups
All sessions are at 17.40-20.30.

Materials

Contents
• A research-oriented development work as a whole, and various ways of approaching the development work.
• Case, action and constructive research as approaches
• Planning, implementing and analyzing a case, action, and constructive research process
• Qualitative analysis, methods for collecting data, analysis methods
• Validity, reliability, transparency and ethics in research.

Texbook:
Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. 2016. Research Methods for Business Students. Seventh ed. Pearson Education Ltd.

Teaching methods and instruction

This course aims at giving the students methodological readiness to implement a work development project that is based on applied research. Students learn to use case and/or action and/or constructive research as an approach in defining challenges and in solving them. At the same time, they learn to use these methods in developing their own work and organization.

Modules:
Opening - Introducing Applied Research -> one session
Module 1: Qualitative research (QLR) -> two sessions: Designing and implementing the research.
Module 2: Action research (AR) -> two sessions,
Module 3: Case study research (CSR) -> two sessions, and
Closing - Presenting R&D Projects and Reflecting on learning -> one session

Working life connections

The course is linked to the Master student’s own work experience and thesis plan. Guest lecturers could be invited from businesses.

Exam dates and re-exam possibilities

There is no exam in this course.

Internationality

Depending on the implementation.

Completion alternatives

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)
If students have acquired the required competence in previous work tasks, recreational activities or on another course, they can show the competence with a demonstration and progress faster through their studies. More information and instructions for recognising and validating prior learning (RPL) are available at MyNet.
Depending on the implementation. Learning takes place in contact lessons, independent studies, teamwork and online-studies. The assessment of one’s own learning.

Learning assignments

Article and chapter summaries
Thesis/R&D Plan
-Links to articles are provided in Moodle
-Chapters are selected from the textbook: Saunders, M., Lewis, P. & Thornhill, A. 2016. Research Methods for Business Students. Seventh ed. Pearson Education Ltd.

Assessment methods

Assessment
30% Article summaries and their discussions (individual and group work)
50% R&D/Thesis plan (individual work)
20% Presentation of the R&D/Thesis plans (group work)
0% Reflections on learning (pass/fail)
0% Course feedback E-form