Course code Ekon5114

Credit points 3

Methodology of Research and Publications

Total Hours in Course81

Number of hours for lectures12

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes12

Independent study hours57

Date of course confirmation18.12.2018

Responsible UnitInstitute of Economics and Finance

Course developer

author Ekonomikas un finanšu institūts

Gunita Mazūre

Dr. oec.

Prior knowledge

Ekon5134, National and Regional Economy

Ekon6034, Mathematical Statistics

VadZ5055, Business Planning and Controlling

VadZ6009, Finance and Investment Management

Course abstract

Writing and formation of an academic or research paper for publication is a time-consuming work requiring accuracy and quite frequently also an experience. Essential differences in the requirements to the authors exist among research branches and scientific journals. Therefore, the study course is aimed at acquisition of theoretical and practical basic knowledge of research methodology, academic writing and presentation of the research results. Students will develop their academic skills and competences in writing research papers and articles according to the national and international requirements as well as they will get acquainted with the presentation skills.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

1. Knows and understands the methodology for development of research and publication, preparation of research for publication and presentation of results in seminars and conferences - independent work.
2. Knows the basic principles of organisation of research work, focusing on the issues of writing and especially writing academic texts - discussion in class.
3. Ability to determine the scope of research, formulate research hypothesis, aim and tasks, reflect the research results in the publication, develop the final part of the publication, correctly include references in the text and format the bibliography - analysis of publications written in English.
4. Ability to follow the code of research ethics and avoid plagiarism in academic and scientific work as well as use international databases - independent work, collection of information from databases, analysis of publications.
5. Able to plan tasks responsibly - independent work.
6. Able to take part in classes and take responsibility for work results and its analysis. Able to present the results of independent work - independent work, presentation and publication.

7. Able to apply in-depth and structured theoretical knowledge and practical skills in research and publication development in English according to Latvian and international standards - independent work, work with databases, analysis of publications, presentation, publication written in English.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Definition of the research. Selection of a research sphere and theme. Determination of the research scope and optimisation of research (lectures - 1 h)
Fundamental, applied and practical research. Descriptive and experimental studies. Planning and preparation of scientific research. Pre-development process of research, publication. Finding out the topicality of the research. Direction of research. Preparation of the study. Principles for the literature search.
2. Structure of the research paper and its detailed description - IMRAD (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion). (lectures - 2 h, practical work - 1 h)
Title. Length of the title. Introduction. Setting and justifying research aim and tasks. Limiting the research topic. Formulation of hypothesis in appropriate scientific style and terminology. Materials and methods. Abbreviations, acronyms and symbols.
3. Databases and search of information in databases (practical work - 4 h)
Bibliographic and full-text databases (CAB Abstracts, EbscoHost, Agris, ISI Web of Kowledge, SAGE, Scirus, Emerald, Scopus, Index Copernicus, Erih, LLU Database, Research gate, Science gateway). Databases subscribed by Latvia University of Life Science and Technologies. High impact factor jornals. Selection criteria for the inclusion of journals in databases.
4. Presentation of research results in research paper or publication (lectures - 2 h, practical work - 2 h)
Basic principles of the research results and content. Design of tables and figures. Title and numbering of tables and figures. Column headings. Units of measurement. References below tables and figures. Using emphasis or “end focus”. Discussion, purpose of discussion. Results and discussion. SI system.
5. Elaboration of the final part of the research paper (lectures - 1 h, practical work - 1 h)
Abstract. Keywords, their number. Conclusions and proposals. Conclusions for experimental studies. Summary. Structured summary. Unstructured summary. Acknowledgements.
6. Bibliography list and references in the text (lectures - 1 h)
Creating a bibliography list. List of references, index of topics and bibliography. Vancouver and Harvard reference style. The need for references. Compilation of bibliography: books of one and several authors, scientific articles, other publications, press releases, electronic resources, encyclopaedia references. Alphabetical order. Order of citations.
7. Essay. Development of essay writing skills. Concentration of thoughts and first draft (lectures - 1 h)
Goals for essay writing skills development. Transformation (growth) of personal experience in perspective. Argumentation skills and art. Connection of theory with practical examples. References to examples. Avoiding jargon. Examination of written material, editing. Respecting the reader. Logical linking of work parts. Essay analysis.
8. Ethical problems - how to avoid plagiarism in academic and scientific works (lectures - 1 h)
Copyright. Plagiarism and self-plagiarism. Preventing self-plagiarism. Possibility and attitude towards plagiarism. Scientist as a creative personality, reviewer, expert, etc. Code of Ethics for Scientist.
9. Differences and priority in standard English and American English (lectures - 2h)
Use of standard (British) English in research and publications. Punctuation in research and publications: dot, comma, semicolon, colon, dash. Capitalisation. Numericals and their usage. Active and passive voice. Redundancy. Using singular and plural. Latin words. Using number words. Pronouns. Apostrophes, their use. Prefixes that reinforce the meaning of the word. Conversational and scientific style vocabulary. Terminology. Use of present and past, time sequence rules in English. The future in the past. Specifics of using articles. Euphemism. Paraphrases.
10. Preparation of research results for publication (lectures - 1 h, practical work - 2 h)
Identification of publishing opportunities. Requirements for the preparation of studies and publications. Article submission. Editors and reviewers. Editing, contacts with editorial board.
11. Presentation of research results in seminars and conferences (practical work - 2 h)
Preparation of presentation materials. Preparation of handouts. Oral report. Illustrative material. Poster. IMRAD structure in posters. Font type and font size. Successful presentation etiquette.

Requirements for awarding credit points

1. Collection of information from databases - 10 records or entries (10%).
2. Analysis of another author’s publication (20%).
3. Presentation of a Master’s thesis research (15%).
4. Activity in classes (5%).

At the end of the study course, an exam (written) consisting of a publication written in English in accordance with the theme of the Master’s thesis. (50%).

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Getting ready for practical assignments and presentation of Master’s thesis research. Acquisition of skills for searching information in databases and selecting ten entries on topics related with the development of a Master’s thesis. Analysis of a freely chosen publication consistent with the criteria set for a research publication. A publication written in English in accordance with the theme of the Master's thesis.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

All assignments shall be completed. Every assignments is graded. The evaluation of the study course depends on the evaluation of independent and practical assignments (tasks), 10% corresponds to one point on a 10-point assessment scale.

Compulsory reading

1. Bailey S., Nelson T. Academic Writing: A Practical Guide for Students. London: Taylor & Francis, 2006, p. 193.
2. Creswell J.W. Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. Boston: Pearson, 2012, p. 650.
3. Day R.A. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006, p. 320.
4. Hamp-Lyons L., Heasley B. Study Writing: A Course in Written English for Academic Purposes. UK, 2006, p. 148.
5. Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. u.c. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse. Rīga: RaKa, 2016, 546 lpp.
6. Rajan S.R. Grant Writing: Practical Strategies for Scholars and Professionals. Lanham: Rowman&Littlefield, 2015, p. 124.

7. Walliman N. Your Undergraduate Dissertation: the Essential Guide for Success. London: SAGE Publications, 2005, p. 275.

Further reading

1. Badger I., Pedley S. Everyday Business Writing. Harlow: Longman, 2009. 95 p.
2. Clough P., Nutbrown C. A Student's Guide to Methodology: Justifying Enquiry. London: SAGE Publications, 2002. 212 p.
3. Dul J. Case Study Methodology in Business Research. Oxford, Burlington: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008. 302 p.
4. Leedy P. D. Practical Research: Planning and Design. Merrill: Prentice Hall, 2005. 319 p.
5. Marczyk G. DeMatteo D. Essentials of Research Design and Methodology. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons Ltd., 2005. 290 p.
6. Ranjit K. Research Methodology: a Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. London: SAGE Publications, 2005. 332 p.
7. Savage A., Mayer P. Effective Academic Writing 1: the Paragraph. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. 152 p.
8. Savage A., Mayer P. Effective Academic Writing 2: the Short Essay. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. 168 p.
9. Wallace M. Critical Reading and Writing for Postgraduates. California: SAGE publications, 2016. 278 p.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Business Week: nedēļas izdevums [tiešsaiste]. Bloomberg L.P. Businessweek. ISSN 0007-7135. Pieejams: http://www.businessweek.com.
2. European Business Journal [tiešsaiste]. International Business Verlag GmbH. ISSN 0955-808X. Pieejams: http://www.european-business-journal.com.
3. Financial Time: laikraksts [tiešsaiste]. England based finance newspaper. London: The Financial Times Ltd. ISSN 0307-1766. Pieejams: http://www.ft.com/home/europe.
4. The Economist: nedēļas laikraksts. London: Economist Newspaper Ltd. [tiešsaiste]. ISSN 0013-0613. Pieejams: http://www.economist.com.

Notes

Restricted elective study course in the professional Master study programme “Business Management”