Introduction to research methods

This course covers central topics on the use scientific methods and scientific writing, and it will focus on the application of selected scientific methods. The course will teach basic knowledge, skills and competence to plan and conduct scientific investigations at bachelor level and to critically evaluate one’s own and other's scientific work. The course will guide through the process to carry out a simple, applied research project from the definition of a problem to the dissemination of results in scientific and popular scientific formats.

Candidates will gain knowledge and receive training in; the formulation of concrete problems, development of hypotheses, literature search, scientific citing, research and experimental planning, choice of experimental design, analysis and evaluation of data. All segments of this process will include theory and practical training of selected scientific methods. In addition, the course deals with how to present data and other research results in the best way and then be able to set up a discussion. The course deals with scientific writing and other scientific and popular scientific forms of communication.

The course will also provide insight into research funding and application processes. The course will enable students to evaluate, plan and carry out minor research work at bachelor level, as well as to present research results.

Knowledge - the students:

• have broad knowledge about the scientific approach to examine concrete problems
• can update their knowledge about concrete problems on a defined topic
• have knowledge about the dissemination of research results
• have knowledge about selected scientific methods to plan and conduct scientific tests, collect and analyze data

Skills - the students:

• can develop and formulate clear and concise scientific problems and hypotheses
• can conduct relevant data collection
• can conduct basic data analyses using selected methods
• can couple defined problems with theory and relevant empirical data and knowledge
• can evaluate their own and other's research approach and presentation within their own discipline and method they are familiar with
• can evaluate applied research problems

General competence - the students:

• have insight into the scientific approach for planning, conducting and presenting research work
• can use sources, databases and search engines for scientific literature
• can plan and conduct minor scientific studies
• can present results in a scientific and popular scientific manner
• can critically reflect over their own professional work.

Learning activities:

Lectures/seminars up to 30 hours, exercises up to 48 hours, individual study and exam up to 120 hours.

Mandatory assignments:

Up to 6 mandatory reports, of which at least 80% need to be approved.