Research-based Development (5cr)

Evaluation methods and criteria

The assessment of the course is based on assessment criteria derived from the learning objectives.

The online exam is graded numerically from 0 to 5.
The e-poster is graded as pass/fail.
Written self-assessment assignment: pass/fail.

Overall grade for the course: pass/fail.

Evaluation scale

Pass/Fail

Content scheduling

The course is entirely online and consists of two modules.

The Moodle workspace will open at the beginning of the course. Introducing yourself in the Moodle workspace is also a sign of your participation in the course. The introduction must be done at the beginning of the course during the first two weeks.

Module 1: self-study and online exam 2 credits Module 2: 3 webinars and learning tasks (essays, peer assessment of essays, e-posters and self-assessment) 3 credits

Three full-day webinars.

Objective

Purpose of the course
The purpose of this course is to understand the meaning of research-based development and to get one's own toolkit for development activities

Competences:
Ethics: Implements the principles of good scientific practice and promotes their application in the work community.
Proactive development: Produces new knowledge and renews operating methods by combining expertise from different fields. Able to implement research, development, and innovation projects and apply various research and development methods.
The aim of the course is to strengthen students' research skills, working life development methods, and critical information retrieval skills.

Learning outcomes
After completing the course, you will understand the principles of research and research-based development work as well as the research process. You will be able to master and apply selected research and development methods in your field. You will understand and be able to follow the principles of good scientific practice in research and development activities.

Methods of completion

Workshops
Literature-based development report production

Content

In this course, you will learn about research, research-based development, research ethics, and the principles of good scientific practice.

Location and time

The course is entirely online.

Three full-day webinars (9am-3pm), which are optional. The lecture sessions of the webinars will be recorded.

Webinars on Zoom:
1st webinar Fri 10.4.2026 at 9-15
2nd webinar Mon 27.4.2026 at 9-15
3rd webinar Mon 11.5.2026 at 9-15

The Moodle workspace will open on 30.3.2026.

Materials

Online-exam:
Toikko, T. & Rantanen, T. 2009. Tutkimuksellinen kehittämistoiminta. Tampere: Tampereen yliopistopaino Oy ja Salonen, K., Saloranta, S., Hautala, T. & Kinos. S. 2017. Kehittämistoiminta ja kehittämisen menetelmiä ammatillisessa korkeakoulutuksessa. Turun AMK. (both available as e-books) and other relevant material will be agreed in the beginning of the course.

Other study material:
Ojasalo, K. Moilanen, T. & Ritalahti, J. 2015. Kehittämistyön menetelmät. Uudenlaista osaamista liiketoimintaan. Helsinki: WSOYpro. (applicable parts)
OR
Kehittämistutkimus opetusalalla. 2013. Toim. J. Pernaa, Jyväskylä:PS-kustannus. (applicable parts)

Ethical principles and ethical review in human sciences. 2020. Finnish National Board on Research Integrity. www.tenk.fi/en

Responsible conduct of research and procedures for handling allegations of misconduct in Finland. 2023. Finnish National Board on Research Integrity. www.tenk.fi/en

Dodd, S-J. & Epstein, I. 2012. Practice-based research in social work: a guide for reluctant researchers. London; New York: Routledge.
OR
Bryman, A. 2012. Social research methods. Oxford: Oxford University Press cop.
OR
Burns, N. & Grove, S. K. 2001. The practice of nursing research. Conduct, Critique, and Utilization. 5th edition or the latest. Philadelphia : Elsevier/Saunders cop.
OR
Polit, D. F. & Beck, C.T. 2014. Essentials of nursing research: appraising evidence for nursing practice. Philadelphia : Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins cop.
OR
Yin, R. K. 2018. Case study research and applications : design and methods. Los Angeles: Sage.

Koskela, J. Kutinlahti, P., Hanhike, T., Martikainen, M. & Urjankangas, H.-M. 2015 Kokeileva kehittäminen. Työ- ja elinkeinoelämän julkaisuja. TEM raportteja 67/2015. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-327-061-9. (applicable parts)

Other relevant material will be agreed in the beginning of the course.

Teaching methods

Online exam
Individual learning tasks: essays, peer reviews of essays, e-poster
Small group work online
Webinars
Online Discussions
Recorded online lectures, podcasts

Employer connections

You can connect working life development projects to learning tasks of the course.

Exam schedules

Online exam in Moodle: One actual exam day (week 15) and two re-exam opportunities.

International connections

The course utilizes partly international learning materials and literature.

Completion alternatives

You can complete the course by combining study and work, by studification. Agree on studification
of the course with the lecturer in charge of the course. For more information on studification, see the degree regulations and study guide.

Student workload

- online exam (preparation for the exam and exam): 54 hours
- webinars: 15 hours
- learning tasks and studying the course material: 66 hours

Total 135 hours.