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Regular version of the site
Master 2022/2023

Seminar of the Mentor “Scientific Research Methods for STI”

Category 'Best Course for Broadening Horizons and Diversity of Knowledge and Skills'
Category 'Best Course for New Knowledge and Skills'
Area of studies: Management
When: 2 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

This compulsory course is delivered to students of the Master Program ‘Science, Technology and Innovation Management and Policy’ at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE). It is delivered during both years of studies, and its length is 456 academic hours in total of which 132 are classroom hours and 324 hours are devoted to self-study. The first part of the course (1st year) 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. The second part of the course (2nd year) is designed to extend students’ expertise in the field of STI studies: to introduce them to the forefront research topics and practical issues, addressed by experts and academic community; to share the first-hand experience of using different methods for STI-related research projects; and to discuss the typical mistakes and helpful research tips. Equally, the course aims to assist students in choosing relevant topics for their master research, writing their master theses research proposals (MTRPs), and their further realization in master theses. The course is reading- and writing-intensive. The final grade is based on the number of activities organized during the two years of studies.
Learning Objectives

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

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

Course Contents

  • 1.1. Introduction to the course
  • 1.2. Term paper guidelines and regulations
  • 2. STI studies: overview of the academic field
  • 3.1. Research design and its key elements: research topic, problem, questions, goals, hypotheses
  • 3.2. Literature review: strategies and algorithms
  • 4.1. Research methodologies and method selection
  • 4.2. Interview and focus group
  • 4.3. Survey research
  • 4.4. Sample
  • 4.5. Case study
  • 4.6. Document analysis and content analysis
  • 5.1. Introduction to data analysis
  • 5.2. Quantitative data analysis
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking TP Research Proposal
  • non-blocking Written exam
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2021/2022 3rd module
    0.5 * Written exam + 0.5 * TP Research Proposal
  • 2022/2023 3rd module
Bibliography

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

Authors

  • NEFEDOVA ALYONA IGOREVNA
  • STRELTSOVA EKATERINA ALEKSANDROVNA
  • RUD VITALIY ALEKSANDROVICH
  • DRANEV YURIY YAKOVLEVICH
  • MEISSNER DIRK -