Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years (1.8.2018-31.7.2020), which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Students will learn how to formulate a research problem.
  • Students will learn how to apply scientific thinking and empirical research methods in solving a research problem.
  • Students will learn how to develop a sound research plan for a small-scale empirical study.
  • Students will learn to analyze empirical data, report the results, and evaluate the quality (reliability and validity) of empirical research.
  • Students will learn what are the basic elements of an empirical scientific research paper and how these elements form a logical whole.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 09.09.2020 - 04.12.2020

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Markku Maula, Kari Tanskanen, Natalia Vuori

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Euiju Jeon, Kari Tanskanen, Natalia Vuori

Contact information for the course (valid 19.08.2020-21.12.2112):

The main contacts are:

  • euiju.jeon@aalto.fi (if you do your assignment of a strategy topic)
  • natalia.vuori@aalto.fi (if you do your assignment of a organizational leadership topic)
  • kari.tanskanen@aalto.fi (if you do your assignment of a operations management topic)

Students are encouraged to choose the topic of the assignment from the field of their majos.

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    This course introduces students to the principles of scientific work and prepares them to conduct independent scientific work.  The course provides an overview of the whole process of conducting a scientific study, which includes: formulating a research question, designing a study to answer the research question, collecting data, analyzing data using appropriate methods, reporting the results, and linking the results to existing scientific knowledge. The course consists of both individual and group work. As a group work students conduct a scientific study related to the topic of their chosen major.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Individual and group assignments.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The grade of the course is based on post-class questions (individual effort), final report of the research assignment (group effort) and review report (group effort) as follows:

    • Post-class questions 40%
    • Final report 50%,
    • Review report 10%

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Individual work 54 hours, group work 81 hours

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Course materials are published in MyCourses.

Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    TU-E2090 Research Assignment in Operations and Service Management, TU-E1090 Research Assignment in Strategy and Venturing, and TU-E3091 Research Assignment in Organization Design and Leadership. 

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Bachelor's seminar

FURTHER INFORMATION

Description

Registration and further information