Topic outline

  • Syllabus

    This course is designed especially for students who are beginning their Master's thesis projects. You may take the course at any time during your Master's studies; however, you will get the most out of it if you already have a thesis topic in mind.

    The aim of the course is to give students the tools to conceptualize their theses in terms of research questions and design, methodology, data collection and qualitative analysis

    The course introduces the student to the following topics:

    • Epistemological and ontological underpinnings of qualitative research
    • Collection and analysis of appropriate qualitative empirical data
    • Evaluating criteria for qualitative research

    Learning outcomes

    Students will gain…

    • Understanding of epistemological and ontological underpinnings of qualitative research
    • Ability to formulate research questions by evaluating existing literature and identifying appropriate contexts for qualitative studies
    • Experience in qualitative methods of data gathering, including in-depth interviews, ethnography, and netnography
    • Experience in analysis of qualitative data, including computer assisted analysis
    • Learning to apply evaluating criteria for qualitative research
    • Experience in writing excellent qualitative research reports
    • Improvements in critical thinking skills and creativity

    Assessment and grade breakdown

    The course is evaluated on the grading scale (0-5). Passing the course requires completing assignments and obtaining at least 50 points, and the maximum points is 100*

    90+                                               5

    80+                                               4

    70+                                               3

    60+                                               2

    50+                                               1

    <50                                               0


    Breakdown of the final grade:

    • Five 3-2-1 quizzes, 3 points each --> 15 points
    • Eight Persuall readings 2,5 points each --> 24 points
    • Three research-related assignments
      • Assignment 1: Research context and question 11 points
      • Assignment 2: In-depth interview 25 points
      • Assginment 3: Final research report 25 points
    (Please see the detailed intructions under Assignments)
    * Active participation in class can earn you 5 extra points, so you can earn 105 points in total.


    Course policies

    Course delivery policies

    All course deliverables (except Perusall assignments) are submitted via MyCourses. All deadlines are firm and depending on how late the students submitted their work, this can incur a point penalty. The instructor may submit assignment to TurnitIn for plagiarism checks.

    Zoom policies

    The contact sessions are a mixture of lectures, discussions, and exercises. For each of the contact sessions you are expected to have read the relevant chapters from the text book.

    To ensure a pleasant Zoom environment:

    • Please mute your microphone when not speaking.
    • While not compulsory, turning on your camera is higly appreciated.
    • Please be active! Ask questions, give your opinions. All ideas are welcome in the classroom and are open to debated. If you want to comment or ask a question, please use the raise hand feature. (You may also use the chat)
    • Please do not take screenshots, cell phone pictures, or otherwise record the meeting, your classmates, or your instructor without express permission to do so.
    • Please remember to express your ideas in a way that is respectful to others.
    Communication policy

    All "official" course communication will take place through News forum. Anything posted in that forum will be forwarded to your Aalto email, so please make sure you check it periodically.

    Please use the Discussion forum if you have any questions or feedback regarding course topics, lectures, materials, assingments etc. , as someone else is likely to have the same question.

    Please only use email if the matter is very personal or very urgent.

    I will not be answering any inquiries regarding anything that can be easily found in the syllabus via personal email.

    Ethical policy



    Attendance and activity in class 


    Students will be expected to attend all the sessions and contribute to the class. Attendance is not compulsory. However, you are expected to write your 3-2-1 quzzes based on what was covered in class each week. Each learning-diary entry counts for 3% of your final grade.

    Being active in class and/can earn you extra credit; meaningful, active participation can earn you up to 5 extra points towards you final grade. Participation in class means commenting and asking questions, either by raising your hand or using the chat function. Upon

    Communication policy
    • All "official" course communication from the instructor will take place through News forum. Anything posted in that forum will be forwarded to your Aalto email, so please make sure you check it periodically.
    • Please use the Discussion forum if you have any questions or feedback regarding course topics, lectures, materials, assingments etc.
      • The instuctors will not be answering emails regarding anything that can be easily found in the syllabus.
      • Please only use email if the matter is very personal or very urgent (ie. you are missing a class because you are home sick, or there is a problem with MyCourses when you need to submit your work).



    Assigments

    To best appreciate and understand qualitative methodology, one must experience some of the process first hand. The course assignments will simulate different stages of qualitative research process, from formulating the research question presenting one's research findings. All of the assignments are compulsory for the completion of the course.


Next section ►
Assignments