Course syllabus

Course-PM

SJO369 Research methods lp1 HT19 (7.5 hp)

Course is offered by the department of Mechanics and Maritime Sciences

Contact details

Examiner: Per Hogström: per.hogström@chalmers.se

Further contact information to come

Course purpose

The purpose of this course is to give the students basic knowledge in the theory of science, and ethics, and that he/she shall be able to design research projects within the science and social domain. The course is divided into two strands;

A: dealing with qualitative research methods

B: dealing with basic statistical analysis methods.

By the end of the course students will be able to design empirical studies and to apply different research methods and methods of analysis.

Schedule

TimeEdit

Course literature

• Mark Saunders, Philip Lewis, Adrian Thornhill (2009), Research methods for business students, 5^th Edition. Prentice Hall
• Madsen, Birger (2011). Statistics for Non-Statisticians, Springer.
• Computer exercises and assignments will be handed out on the first lecture.
• Reference literature will be presented at the course's Canvas page.

Course design

Part A, the qualitative part of the course, is based on lectures supporting the research project. These treat the details of the steps taken in the progress of the research project with the ambition to fit in with the progress of the project. This includes several guest lecturers.

Part B, the quantitative part comprise of theoretical lectures treating statistical theory. These lectures are supported with computer exercises and mandatory assignments in order for the students to learn to apply the theories.

You will be able to find the lecture slides on here on Canvas before each lecture in both part A and B. However, there may be updates after the lecture so please revisit the file.

The research project comprise of three parts, which are presented in more detail in each representative deadline; project plan, presentation and final report. First, you must form a group of four students, please define these under "People" and "Groups" here in Canvas. Your first task is to formulate a research topic, objective and question and devise a project plan based on this. It should include the background and motivation of your research question,  the methodology you intend to use to answer this question and a time plan with well defined activities. These ideas are then presented to the rest of the class in a seminar in which there will be an opponent group to each group presenting. The audience is expected to take active part in as well and question the work that is presented. The research project as a whole shall then be documented in a scientifically written report. All these activities are part of the examination of the course, see below, and documents shall be uploaded here on Canvas before each respective deadline.

The computer assignments are carried out in groups of two students using MS Excel with a statistics package. There are three parts of the computer assignments with hand-ins. Please document your assignments in a comprehensive way so that it's easy to follow what you have done and upload these documents here on Canvas.

Throughout the course, you are expected to visit Canvas, which be the main channel of communication between teacher and students. The schedule for lectures will be posted here and contents of lectures may be subject to changes.

Changes made since the last occasion

Lectures in qualitative part more in line with the progress of the research project.

Learning objectives and syllabus

Learning objectives:

- define and delimit a research question
- discuss the benefits and drawbacks of basic data collection methods
- apply basic data collection methods
- interpret and assess the quality of the results
- formulate and organize a discussion
- plan and write a PM for their own research project
- apply general statistical methods in research

Link to the syllabus on Studieportalen.

Study plan

If the course is a joint course (Chalmers and Göteborgs Universitet) you should link to both syllabus (Chalmers and Göteborgs Universitet).

Examination form

Three assignments using the quantitative research methods and a written project report are required to pass the course. In addition, participation on the presentation seminar and commenting other students’ presentations are mandatory.

• If all above tasks (Project Plan, Presentation, Report, Assignments) are fulfilled, the student passes the course and obtains Grade 3.
• A good work of the hand-in tasks (Project plan, Report, Assignments) give bonus points that may gives a higher grade:
  • 1 or 2 bonus points for each task
  • A maximum 10 bonus points can be obtained;  6 bonus points to reach Grade 4.

• To secure a higher grade, a written examination on the statistical methods needs to be taken.
  • Bonus points will be accounted in the final grade
  • 20-29 (Grade 3); 30-39 (Grade 4); 40-50 (Grade 5)

Schedule