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Methodology of Research

Course developers

Course abstract

Students develop their knowledge, skills and reflection abilities about the types, designs and methods of research, acquire the basic principles of scientific research, research ethics, data security and academic integrity, develop the skills necessary for the successful implementation of the research.
The aim of the study course is to provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills in developing and designing research.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

Knowledge:
• have in-depth knowledge of the basic principles of scientific research and research ethics – test.
Professional skills:
• able to describe research strategies and designs – practical works;
• able to plan the research, choose and evaluate critically the information necessary for the research – practical works;
• able to solve ethical dilemmas during research – practical works;
• able to evaluate the suitability of scientific publications for the justification of the topicality of the research problem and proposed solutions – practical works.
Soft skills:
• Able to able to cooperate and communicate – practical works;
Competence:
• able to analyse and evaluate critically research reports – 1nd-2rd independent works;
• able to develop and justify his/her own research project – 1nd-2rd independent works;
• able to create references and bibliography according to the requirements – 1nd-2rd independent works.

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Science and methods of scientific thinking. Educational research: problems, approaches and principles (lecture - 1 h)
2. Research Strategies and Designs (lecture - 1 h, practical work - 1 h)
3. Advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research. Criteria for selection of research strategy and design (lecture - 1 h)
4. The concept of research rigour. Rigour in quantitative and qualitative research (lecture - 1 h, practical work - 1 h)
Test – describing of advantages and disadvantages of research designs – 1 h
5. Legal and ethical issues in research. Informed Consent. Academic integrity (lecture - 1 h)
6. Content and structure of the research report (lecture - 1 h, practical work - 1 h)
7. Classification of scientific publications, databases of scientific articles as sources of information (lecture – 1 h)
8. Creation of bibliography and references. Tables and figures in research reports (lecture – 1 h, practical work – 3 h)
9. Master's thesis as a research report. Methodological rules for elaboration and defence of Master' s theses in study programme “Human Resource Management” (lecture - 1 h)
10. Formulation and transformation of the research problem into the research goal and research questions. Research planning (lecture – 2 h, practical work - 1 h)
11. The importance of theoretical and empirical research in the explanation of the topicalities and solutions of the research problem (lecture - 1 h, practical work – 2 h)
12. Preparation of research presentations. Choosing the most appropriate presentation type (practical work - 2 h)

Requirements for awarding credit points

The course includes test, two independent works. Practical works to be done during practical work in the classroom. All work must be successfully completed.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

Within the study course, for independent works is given 56 hours. Independent works are organized as follows: preparation for the test/ quiz (6 hours), preparation for independent works (25 hours for each work).

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

The final grade in the study course is formed by:
20% test – describing of advantages and disadvantages of research designs;
20% practical works;
60% two independent works – preparing and presenting a scientific paper at the annual conference of TF students and masters students; preparation of a Master's thesis.

Compulsory reading

1. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse / Kristīnes Mārtinsones, Anitas Piperes, Daigas Kamerādes zinātniskajā redakcijā. Rīga: RaKa, 2016. 546 lpp.
2. Pētniecības terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca. K. Mārtinsone, A. Pipere (Red.). 2023. https://www.rsu.lv/petniecibas-terminu-vardnica
3. Wilkinson D., Dokter D. The Researcher’s Toolkit: The Complete Guide to Practitioner Research (2nd ed). Routledge, 2023. 168 p.
4. Mukherjee S.P. A Guide to Research Methodology. CRC Press. 2019. 254 p.
5. Research Methods for Human Resource Management. K.Sanders, J.A. Cogin, & H.T.J. Bainbridge (Eds.), Routledge. 2014. 161 p.
6. Kroplijs A., Raščevska M. Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Rīga: RaKa, 2004. 178 lpp.

Further reading

1. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Sastādītāja Kristīne Mārtinsone. [Rīga]: RaKa, 2011. 284 lpp.
2. Kristapsone S. Zinātniskā pētniecība studiju procesā. Rīga: SIA Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2008. 352 lpp.

Periodicals and other sources

1. LBTU tīklā abonētās zinātnisko publikāciju datubāzes. http://llufb.llu.lv/db.html?i=db_saraksti.html
2. Pārresoru koordinācijas centra pētījumu un publikāciju datu bāze. http://petijumi.mk.gov.lv/
3. LR Izglītības ministrijas publikācijas un statistika. http://www.izm.gov.lv/lv/publikacijas-un-statistika
4. Latvijas Zinātnes padome. Zinātnisko publikāciju klasifikācija. http://www.lzp.gov.lv
5. LZA Terminoloģijas komisija: Par pētījuma zinātniskā stipruma kritēriju terminiem. https://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=232703

Notes

Compulsory study course in the professional master's study programme Human Resource Management