R&D Studies (5cr)

Evaluation scale

0 - 5

Content scheduling

Qualitative methods will be discussed in lectures during the time period of 13.1.-24.2, quantitative methods will be discussed in lectures 23.3.-5.5.

Objective

The students will have the basic skills to become an expert and carry out different types of development projects and they will understand their significance to competence development. They will be able to apply research methods in enterprise development and can critically evaluate knowledge generated by research and development work.

Content

- R&D points of departure,
- Qualitative research process,
- Quantitative research process,
- Analysis and interpretation of the research material

Location and time

The online lectures will take place during the time period of 13.1.-28.4. Exam will be conducted in class 5.5.

Materials

To be announced later.

Teaching methods

10 online lectures which will be recorded and quantitative research exam in class.
The course includes course work (both group and individual assignments).

Employer connections

None.

Exam schedules

Quantitative research exam: two retake opportunities. See retake dates from Helsinki or from Kajaani campus retakes.

International connections

None.

Completion alternatives

None.

Student workload

The course requires approximately 135 hours of student work.
Lectures account for approximately 24 hours. The remaining 111 hours are dedicated to assessed course assignments and individual study.
Of these, approximately 66,5 hours will be dedicated to qualitative research, and 44,5 hours to quantitative research.
These figures are indicative, and the actual workload depends on the amount of time each student chooses to spend on their studies.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The students are able to use as required the key concepts of research and development work.
They are able to outline the general process of research and development.
The students are able to summarise an existing piece of research.
They are able to plan the implementation of a method or methods linked to a research process, as required, although their work displays some uncertainty.
The students are able to use research and development methods and quality tools as required, with supervision.
The students are able to work as members of a team and take responsibility for their own work with consideration for other members of the team.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The students are able to use the key concepts of research and development systematically.
The students can describe the various processes of research and development and give reasons for their use.
They are able to analyse existing research.
The students are able to choose suitable practices and methods for research and development and quality control work based on acquired knowledge
The students are able to assess and reflect on their own expertise.
The students are able to work independently and responsibly.
They are able to work as members of a team to achieve common goals.
They are able to justify their work according to ethical principles.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The students can use the concepts of research and development and quality control with expertise and in a variety of ways.
The students are able to analyse and critically assess existing research.
The students are able to analyse, compare, combine and choose knowledge and present alternative practices in research, development and quality control processes.
The students are able to analyse, reflect upon and critically assess their own expertise.
The students are able to work independently, responsibly and with initiative.
They are able to work as members of a team to promote and develop the team’s operations to achieve common goals.
The student can critically apply ethical principles in their work.

Further information

Guidelines for the use of AI—including its possibilities and limitations—will be reviewed during the first session in relation to the course assignments (based on Arene's AI recommendations).

Failure to follow the given instructions may result in the rejection of the course. If this is the case only with a single assignment, the student will be required to redo the task to receive a passing grade.

As with all the courses, it is possible to apply for credit transfer or recognition of prior learning (RPL) for the course, including the opportunity to integrate prior experience through a process of learning validation.

For course assignments there will be two opportunities for retakes (3 attempts overall). If a student does not pass after 3 attempts, they will have to retake the course.