Research and development methods 1Laajuus (5 cr)

Objective

You become familiar with the research and development work in the social service sector and are able to identify current research themes in the field.
You know the main concepts, phases and structures of research and development work.
You are able to critically analyse the development needs of the social service sector and to define research problem or development task on the basis of your analyse.
You know the main sources of research and development literature in your own field and are able to find information using different data sources.
You are capable of analyzing literature of your own field.
You are capable of writing scientifically and you know the basic instructions in reporting your thesis.

Content

What is the role of research in social service sector and what are current research and development themes in the field?
What are the main concepts and phases of research process?
How do you get information of the development needs in social service sector and how do you define research problem or development task based on those needs?
What are the main sources of knowledge in the field of social services and how do you find information from them?
How do you collect, assess and apply research data in your professional field and how do you report about it?

Evaluation

a. Use professional vocabulary and concepts in an expert way in different situations.
b. Evaluate information sources critically.
c. Identify and describe the problems and needs of the professional field.
e. Choose appropriate models, methods, software and techniques according to the purpose and justify these choices.
g. Justify your actions according to the ethical principles of the professional field.

Qualifications

Knowledge base and work orientation, Communication skills

Materials

Research and development methods 2