SUBJECT

Thesis Supporting Seminar 2.

SOCM17-130

seminar

Master

Faculty of Education and Psychology

Social Integration MA

2

Semester 4

Spring semester

Aim of the course

The practical course is designed to support students in deepening their previously acquired knowledge of research methodology. Specific strategies and tools for research are discussed and reviewed during the planning and conducting of students’ own thesis research. Students will be able to formulate precise research questions, select and apply appropriate research strategies and methods and evaluate critically the empirical tests and their results utilizing various aspects of methodological considerations. The seminar provides concrete help in the preparation of students’ own thesis work by providing a place to discuss methodological issues which rise during thesis research.

Learning outcomes, competencies
knowledge:

• Knowledge of formal criteria of scientific publications
• Knowledge of managing scholarly resource databases
• Processing and critically evaluating scholarly literature
• Methods of data processing and analysis, knowledge of statistical programs

attitude:

• Critical-evaluative approach when reading and preparing scientific publications

skills:

• Formulating relevant and precise research questions
• Selecting appropriate research strategies and methods fitting the research questions
• Planning scientific research (research project) and its professional realization
• Data analysis, using statistical programs as a skill
• Capability of writing texts with scientific, elaborated language

Content of the course
Topics of the course
Collection and processing of scientific literature, the rules of reference, content and formal criteria of scholarly publishing. Scientific hypothesis formation, selection of research strategy (qualitative and quantitative data analysis strategies), statistical procedures, knowledge of various software and ethical aspects of scientific research.

Learning activities, learning methods
Interactive lecture, group discussion, group and individual consultation, oral presentation

Evaluation of outcomes
Learning requirements, mode of evaluation, criteria of evaluation:
Requirements:

• Participation in the sessions (predefined group consultations, and minimum 3 individual consultation)
• Preparing of the thesis research plan and the research ethical permission
• Presenting the research plan

Method of evaluation:
Practice mark. The writing assignment will be evaluated by grades and text feedback.

Criteria of evaluation:

• Theoretical soundness and professionalism of the research plan and ethical permission
• Coherence and complexity of the submitted work
• Meeting research ethics requirements
• Active, critical participation in the class

Compulsory reading list

• Babbie, E. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Wadsworth Cengage Learning. International Edition.
• Denzin, N., K.; Lincoln, Y., S. (Eds.) (2011). The SAGE handbook of qualitative research. Thousand Oaks: Sage.
• Field, A. (2009): Discovering Statistics Using SPSS. Third Edition. London: Sage.
• Flick, U., (ed.) (2014). The SAGE handbook of qualitative data analysis. Los Angeles: Sage.
• Kaplan, D. (ed.) (2004). The SAGE handbook of quantitative methodology for the social sciences. London: Sage.
• Kvale, S. (2007). Doing interviews. Los Angeles: SAGE Publications.
• Millsap, R.E.; Maydeu-Olivares, A. (Eds.) (2009). The SAGE handbook of quantitative methods in psychology. London: Sage.
• Flick, U.(2007). Designing qualitative research. London: Sage.