Course code Peda4048

Credit points 5.25

Research Methodology

Total Hours in Course140

Number of hours for lectures24

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes32

Independent study hours84

Date of course confirmation09.02.2016

Responsible UnitInstitute of Mechanics and Design

Course developer

author lect.

Jānis Pāvulēns

Mg. ed.

Prior knowledge

DatZ3016, Application Software

Course abstract

Students acquire basics of scientific research, improve knowledge of research ethics and pedagogical measurements, develop skills necessary for the implementation of research. During face-to-face classes and independent work, students gain experience in the formulation of research problem and purpose statement and improve their skills in collection and processing of research data.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge – able to understand the requirements of qualification work and research ethics - 1st and 3rd quiz.
Skills - able to formulate and coordinate the research problem, goals, questions and tasks - 1st quiz;
able to choose the design of the research and appropriate data collection and processing methods – 2nd quiz;
able to formulate statistical hypotheses – 5th quiz;
able to compare two data distributions and determine statistical significance of the differences – 6th quiz;
able to explain the results of data processing and formulate conclusions – 7th quiz;
able to design a qualification paper – 3rd quiz.
Competence - able to perform, design and publish qualification work research in cooperation with supervisor – 7th quiz.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Requirements for the elaboration of research works and the preparation of scientific reports - 3h
2. Stages of the research. Transforming the research problem into the research plan - 4 h
3. Formulation of research questions, objectives and tasks - 3h
Quiz 1. Formulation of research problems, purpose, questions and tasks.
4. Research designs and methods - 4 h
Quiz 2. Comparison of research designs
5. Theoretical studies. Searching for information and inclusion of findings in the study report - 3h
6. Methodological part of qualification work. Content and drawing up of appendices - 4 h
Quiz 3. Drawing up references and bibliography.
7. Empirical Studies. Experimental and non-experimental designs - 3 h
8. Formation of research sample - 4 h
9. Methods of data collection. Measuring scales. Validity of data - 3h
10. Data processing (descriptive statistics). Data display in tables and diagrams - 4 h
Quiz 4. Checking of data validity. Representation of data in charts and tables.
11. Use of computer programs for data processing (descriptive statistics) - 4 h
12. Data Processing (Inductive Statistics). Testing of statistical hypotheses - 3h
Quiz 5. Formulation of statistical hypotheses.
13. Use of Computer Programs for Data Processing (Inductive Statistics) - 3h
14. Calculation of statistical criteria - 4 h
Quiz 6. Comparison of data distributions by calculating the χ2 (chi-square) criterion.
15. Describing of research results. Conclusions and recommendations in the study report - 3h
16. Presentation of research results - 4 h
Quiz 7. Assessment of the presentation of the research results.

Requirements for awarding credit points

A formal test by summing up a student‘s performance during a semester without an additional examination or test at the end of a study course.
All quizzes and homework must be credited.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The 1st homework. Formulating of the own research problem and transforming it into a purpose statement (up to 2 pages, submitted electronically)
The 2nd homework. Formulation of the research objective, questions and tasks for own research (up to 1 page, submitted electronically)
The 3rd homework. Drawing up references and bibliography (up to 10 pages, submitted electronically)
The 4th homework. Description of research base (organization and respondents) (volume up to 1 page, submitted electronically) (up to 1 page, submitted electronically)
The 5th homework. Developing of the questionnaire (structured interview or observation plan) for own study (volume up to 3 pages, submitted electronically).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Homework and quizzes are evaluated in accordance with the assessment procedure specified in the homework or quiz.
Each homework and quiz is evaluated in a 10-point grading system, where 10 is the maximum, and 4 is the pass mark.
The formal test grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the marks of the quizzes and homework taken in the study course.

Compulsory reading

1. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse. K. Mārtinsones, A. Piperes, D. Kamerādes zinātniskajā redakcijā. Rīga: RaKa, 2016. 546 lpp. 2. Creswell J. W. Educational research: planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research. Boston: Pearson, 2012. 650 p. 3. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Sastādītāja K. Mārtinsone. Rīga: RaKa, 2011. 284 lpp. 4. Geske A., Grīnfelds A. Izglītības pētniecība: mācību grāmata augstskolu izglītības un pedagoģijas profesionālo un akadēmisko studiju programmu studentiem. Rīga: LU Akadēmiskais apgāds, 2006. 261 lpp. 5. Tomsons V. Pedagoģisko pētījumu metodoloģija: mācību līdzeklis. 1.daļa Pētījuma pamatjautājumi. Jelgava: LLU, 2009. 35 lpp.

Further reading

1. Eko U. Kā uzrakstīt diplomdarbu. Rīga: Jāņa Rozes apgāds, 2006. 319 lpp. 2. Kristapsone S. Zinātniskā pētniecība studiju procesā. Rīga: SIA Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2008. 352 lpp. 3. Paura L., Arhipova I. Neparametriskās metodes: SPSS datorprogramma: mācību līdzeklis. Jelgava: LLKC, 2002. 148 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. MK Pētījumu un publikāciju datubāze. http://petijumi.mk.gov.lv/ui/ 2. LR Centrālās statistikas pārvaldes datubāzes. http://www.csb.gov.lv/dati/statistikas-datubazes-28270.html 3. LR Izglītības ministrijas publikācijas un statistika. http://www.izm.gov.lv/lv/publikacijas-un-statistika

Notes

Compulsory course in the 1st level professional higher educational programme Teacher of Vocational education