Master
2021/2022
Seminar of the Mentor “Scientific Research Methods for STI”
Type:
Compulsory course (Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation)
Area of studies:
Management
Delivered by:
Department of Educational Programmes
When:
1 year, 1-3 module
Mode of studies:
offline
Open to:
students of one campus
Master’s programme:
Governance of Science, Technology and Innovation
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
6
Contact hours:
64
Course Syllabus
Abstract
The course is delivered to the first 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 228 academic hours in total of which 68 are classroom hours and 160 hours are devoted to self-study. The course addresses the design, preparation and implementation of research projects. Its central objective is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to independently plan and pursue academic research. To do so, the course starts with an outline of the main philosophical assumptions of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Students will learn to critically reflect on the implications these assumptions have for the research design and methodology. Further, the course discusses the key steps of scientific work – research topic identification and problematization, questions and hypotheses formulation, writing a comprehensive literature review, etc. Particular attention is given to the research methods often used in the field of STI studies: survey, interview, case study, secondary statistical data analysis, etc. The course then continues with a block of lectures and seminars on data analysis, interpretation and presentation.
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
- Basic understanding of scientific research: procedure, design and methodology
- Analytical skills and critical thinking
- Ability to identify and describe problems, develop problem solution strategies, find information and data sources and process these (1).
Course Contents
- 1.1. Introduction to the course
- 1.2. Term paper guidelines and regulations
- 2.1. Identification of a research problem: techniques and approaches
- 2.2. The key elements of research: questions / hypotheses / goals
- 2.3. Writing academic text: structure, key elements and features
- 2.4. Literature review: strategies and algorithms
- 3.1. Research methodologies and method selection
- 3.2. Survey research
- 3.3. Interview
- 3.4. Sample
- 3.5. Case study
- 3.6. Documents and content analysis
- 4.1. Introduction to data analysis
Interim Assessment
- 2021/2022 3rd module0.5 * Written exam + 0.5 * TP Research Proposal
- 2022/2023 3rd module
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Jenny Rowley. (2014). Designing and using research questionnaires. Management Research Review, (3), 308. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2013-0027?utm_campaign=RePEc&WT.mc_id=RePEc
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Davies, M. (2011). Concept mapping, mind mapping and argument mapping: what are the differences and do they matter? Higher Education (00181560), 62(3), 279–301. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-010-9387-6
- Haunberger, S. (2016). International Handbook of Survey Methodology. E. D. de Leeuw, J. J. Hox & D. A. Dillman, 2008. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.B0965933
- Katz, M. J. (2006). From Research to Manuscript : A Guide to Scientific Writing. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=165671
- Krippendorff, K. (DE-588)136072429, (DE-576)161833357. (2004). Content analysis : an introduction to its methodology / Klaus Krippendorff. Thousand Oaks, Calif. [u.a.]: Sage. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.110340264
- 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
- Norman M. Bradburn, Seymour Sudman, & Brian Wansink. (2004). Asking Questions : The Definitive Guide to Questionnaire Design —— For Market Research, Political Polls, and Social and Health Questionnaires: Vol. Rev. ed. Jossey-Bass.
- Petra Lietz. (2008). Questionnaire design in attitude and opinion research: Current state of an art. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.1F9B720