Topic outline

  • Course home page

    The goal of the course is to introduce the participants to research methods, approaches and processes in software engineering and business both in academy and industry. In addition, the course provides students practice on formulating research questions and planning empirical studies for their doctoral or master's theses.

    After the course, a student is able to:

    • Explain the goals, nature and process of scientific research
    • Compare different research approaches and methods
    • Plan and implement different studies
    • Evaluate the suitability of research methods for scientific and industrial studies
    • Evaluate the validity and reliability of research results


    Sari Kujala (sari.kujala @aalto.fi) is the responsible teacher of the course.

    Rough plan for the course


    Period 1: remote Zoom lectures about scientific research and research methods

    Period 2: seminar/course assignment presentations - research planning

    An exam is required and it includes a reading package. Here is the list of articles for the exam: EXAM ARTICLES.

    Remote lectures

    1. Introduction to research methods 9.9.
    2. Qualitative methods 16.9.
    3. Quantitative methods 23.9.
    4. Analyzing and reporting 30.9.
    5. Case and action research 7.10.
    6. Design science 14.10. (Professor Tomi Männistö)
    Zoom lecture links and lecture slides will be here. The lectures are recorded so that you can watch the sessions later.

    Seminar presentations

    The research plan presentations are in the second period, in the normal lecture time.
    Each date has four presentations. You do not need to submit the report before the presentation. The deadline for the report is 15.12.2020.

    Passing the course

    Lectures are not obligatory but highly recommended as the topic is challenging to study alone.
    Weekly learning tasks: Lecture task 1-2 points, max 12, Exam reading task 1-2 points max 12
    Assignment, presentation min 20 max 38 points
    Exam, min 20, max 38 points
    Sum max 100

    Important dates


    Date Event
    9.9. First lecture
    7.10. Research topic selection (more information later)


    8.12.
    		 First exam on 8.12. at 9-12 (organized remotely)
    15.12. Deadline for final research plans
    x.2. Second exam