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

The purpose of the course is to help participants create and develop their dissertation proposals and present them in a concise manner. The course focuses on areas relevant to developing participants' understanding about the requirements of the doctoral dissertation. Also, the course supports doctoral students in developing their research themes. The course develops the participants' capabilities to present and discuss their research projects and provides an opportunity to get feedback from the faculty and from peer students. The takeaways from the course include fostering doctoral students' critical thinking skills needed in evaluating scientific work.

Credits: 5

Schedule: 07.09.2020 - 09.04.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Risto Rajala

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Risto Rajala

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

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:

    The course is centered on a dissertation proposal which will be completed during the course. The course includes getting acquainted with the scientific body of knowledge in the participants' research domain. The activities include reviews of published PhD theses to develop capabilities for assessing scientific work. Each participant will give presentations of their dissertation proposals and review the research proposals of fellow students. The group discussions are centered on research designs, available methodological alternatives and the rationale for the participants' methodological choices. The participants act as discussants to their fellow student's research proposals to gain experience of discussing and assessing scientific work in the research community.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Assignments, presentations, class participation and readings. The assessment criteria for the dissertation proposals include: Rooting of the research proposal on the existing body of scientific knowledge, statement of the research problem, robustness and feasibility of the research design, justification of the choice of research methods, transparency of the research process, originality of the expected contribution, critical thought conveyed by the researcher, and clarity of presentation.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Seminar 30h, preparing the presentations for the seminar 100h

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Replaces courses TU-22.1193, TU-22.1199 and TU-L2000

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    TU-L0000 Research Methods in Industrial Engineering and Management

FURTHER INFORMATION

Description

Registration and further information