Research Seminar

Master 2019/2020

Type: Compulsory course (Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation)

Area of studies: Management

Delivered by: Department of Educational Programmes

Where: Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge

When: 2 year, 1-3 module

Mode of studies: offline

Instructors: Alexey Bereznoy, Mikhail Gershman, Leonid Gokhberg, Evgeniy Kutsenko, Jonathan Linton, Dirk Meissner, Alena Nefedova, Alexey K. Ponomarev, Vitaliy Roud, Alexander Sokolov, Ekaterina Streltsova, Stanislav A. Zaichenko

Master’s programme: Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation

Language: English

ECTS credits: 9

Contact hours: 84

Full Syllabus

Abstract

The course is delivered to the second year master students of the Master Program ‘Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation’ at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE). The course length is 342 academic hours in total of which 84 are classroom hours and 258 hours are devoted to self-study. The ultimate goal of the course is to provide students with practical knowledge and ready-to-use research skills, necessary for successful development of master thesis research proposal (MTRP) and its further realization. The course is divided into five blocks. The first includes a series of seminars discussing the key steps of research project development and planning: research topic identification and problematization, research questions and hypotheses formulation, etc. The second block is fully dedicated to the research methods mainly used by the Master Program students for their research projects: survey, interview, case study, secondary statistical data analysis. The third part of the course is fully given to students writing MTRPs under supervision, followed by their defenses within the series of MTRPs oral defenses (in groups). Finally, the last block includes a series of master theses pre-defenses. The course lasts for 3 modules of the 2nd year of study.

Learning Objectives

To provide students with practical knowledge and skills necessary for the successful development of a research proposal and further realization of their research projects
To broaden students’ knowledge on social studies research methods, especially those traditionally used in STI studies
To train students’ analytical and critical thinking skills

Expected Learning Outcomes

Ability to identify and describe problems, develop problem solution strategies, find information and data sources and process these
Ability to identify and communicate the form and amount of information needed for decision making; check completeness, process and interpret information

Course Contents

Introduction to the course
Basic guidelines and requirements of the course. Schedule and deadlines. Academic control. Criteria for written papers evaluation. Students are welcomed to share their aspirations and research interests and questions, which should be discussed at the course.
Research basics: a brief tour to research design and academic writing
Research topic and research problem. Research questions types and requirements. Research design and methodology. Academic writing - style and structure of master thesis.
The art of managing science: issues to be solved and appeals to researchers
Managerialism in science. R&D management in academe: needs, challenges and best practices.
A world to survive in: new social practices for scientists
R&D performance and assessment. Academic entrepreneurship and transformation of researcher’s profession. Big Data Challenge.
Social impact of technological progress
Social transformations caused by digital technologies and overall technological growth. Digital inequality. Social risks and ethical problems of artificial intelligence.
Technological development as a factor of a nation’s success
Technological upgrading and catching-up: factors and strategies. Current technological frontier and positions of the lagging behind countries. Cities as the centers of technological development and innovation. Rural innovation.
Commercialization of R&D results: forms and trends in emerging economies
Evaluation of R&D commercialization potential. Strategies of R&D commercialization. Technology transfer offices. University-industry linkages.

Assessment Elements

Peer-review
Peer-review should follow the given structure: 1. Relationship to Topic and Literature. - Short description and assessment of MT chapters - Relevance of work to the chosen topic - Demonstration of an adequate understanding of the relevant literature in the field and citation of an appropriate range of sources - Relevance of research question to topic 2. Methodology and results - Development of clear research questions and / or hypotheses - Choice and application of well-reasoned research methods - Correct use and employment of methods - Development, presentation and justification of adequate conclusions from research - Preparation of answers to the research questions raised in the paper 3. Quality of Communication - Check if the MT uses the template provided - Take into account that the thesis is 60 pages text not counting outline, bibliography, annex(es), list of tables and similar plus/minus 10 per cent - Clear presentation and analysis of research results - Look for correct numbering, logic of headings & sub headings (e.g. one sub-heading under a heading is not acceptable, at least 2 sub-headings need to be under a heading) - Look at the use of references, e.g. check if all references cited in document are included in bibliography and vice versa - Check if tables and figures are numbered and titles assigned, check if sources are provided for tables and figures - Communication of ideas - Provide an overall assessment of consistency and coherence of the MT argumentation - Check if conclusions and summary relate to the main body of the MT - Check if summary outlines the main body of the MT.
MTRP
MTRP is a brief introduction of a research project designed for a master thesis. MTRP is evaluated as the average of the two grades: for 1) the written part and 2) its oral defense.
Colloquium
Pre-defense

Interim Assessment

Interim assessment (3 module)
0.3 * Colloquium + 0.3 * MTRP + 0.2 * Peer-review + 0.2 * Pre-defense

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Ligia MUNTEAN JEMNA. (2016). Qualitative And Mixed Research Methods In Economics: The Added Value When Using Qualitative Research Methods. Journal of Public Administration, Finance and Law, (9), 154. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.a.aic.jopafl.y2016v9p154.167

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Ben Martin, Paul Nightingale, & Alfredo Yegros-Yegros. (2011). Science and Technology Studies: Exploring the Knowledge Base. Working Papers on Innovation Studies. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsrep&AN=edsrep.p.tik.inowpp.20111004
Cargill, M., & O’Connor, P. (2013). Writing Scientific Research Articles : Strategy and Steps (Vol. Second edition). Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=568792
Duarte, N. (2008). Slide:ology : The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations (Vol. 1st ed). Beijing: O’Reilly Media. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=412140
Michael Jay Katz. (n.d.). FROM RESEARCH TO MANUSCRIPT From Research to Manuscript A Guide to Scientific Writing. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.527E83F3

Course Syllabus