BK10A1200
Research Methods and
Methodologies
Introduction
2014
Dr. Harri Eskelinen
Briefly about the lecturer…
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D.Sc Harri Eskelinen, GSM +358 40 1979 280, email:harri.eskelinen@lut.fi
Senior Research Scientist at LUT since 1999, before that lecturer and assistant
since 1985.
Since 2011 nominated as an adjunct professor.
Since 2014 Head of the Master Degree Programme in Mechanical Engineering
D.Sc 1999
Main research topics:
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DFMA
MW-mechanics
Green technology in material selection
Distance learning
Supervising following courses:
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Technical Drawing and 3D-modelling
Material Science
Engineering Design and Mechanisms
Machine Element Design
Research Methods and Methodologies
General information
• Year and period of the university course
module:
– M.Sc 1, periods 1-2
• Modes of study:
– Lectures:
• only 1st period on Fridays at 14.15-16.00, room 7343
– Exercises and presentations:
• 1st period on Tuesdays at 12.15-14.00, room 7343
• 2nd period on Wednesdays 8.15-10.00, room 7343
– Independent study 1st -2nd period
– Estimated total workload 104 h
Content
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Learning outcomes:
Criteria to evaluate scientific contribution.
Scientific research projects in engineering science.
Principles of qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Viewpoints of how to illustrate the results of
quantitative analysis.
• Different means to carry out literature reviews,
interviews and surveys.
Content (continued…)
• Utilization of tacit (silent) knowledge.
• Contents and structures of research plans and
research structures based on IMRAD-principle.
• Viewpoints of writing scientific articles and
conference papers.
• Practical advice about making a conference
presentation.
• Guidelines of acting as an opponent in a scientific
conference or seminar.
Practical work
• Each student will be asked to prepare a scientific
research plan according to giving instructions
• The required theory, guidelines and framework for
preparing the research plan will be discussed in the
classroom during the lectures and exercises(period 1)
– The students are asked to make notes during the lectures.
The lectures and exercises are more like “discussions
together” than typical “teacher-to-student interaction”
• The research plan will be presented to the other
students in a form of a seminar presentation (period 2)
– Each student will be asked to work as an opponent to
another student in the seminar
Timetable
Week
37
Topics of the lecture
1st period/ Fridays 14.15-16.00, room 7343
Exercises
1st period/ Tuesdays 12.15-14.00, room 7343
nd
2 period/ Wednesdays 8.15-10.00, room 7343
Introduction of the course module
No exercises
(8.9.- 14.9.2014)
The selection of the title for the research plan
38
(15.9.- 21.9.2014)
Background information of the research
Motivation, Previous research, Framework and research problem
- Framework and research problem
- Research questions, Hypotheses,
Objectives of the research
Research questions, Hypotheses, Scope
39
(22.9.- 28.9.2014)
40
(29.9.- 5.10.2014)
Research methods
Qualitative methods, Quantitative methods, Developed measuring algorithms and methods, Reliability, validity and
sensitivity aspects
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- Research methods
- Reliability, validity and sensitivity aspects
Implementation of the research
Description of the research project, Timetable, Resources
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- Timetable
Researchers and research environment
Research team, Required equipment, National and international collaboration, Research infrastructure
41
(6.10.- 12.10.2014)
42
(13.10.-19.10.2014)
(43)
Expected research results
Expected scientific contribution, Expected concrete applications ,Expected generalized results
- Expected scientific contribution
Key literature
Scientific conference papers, Scientific journal articles, Text books, Other references, Utilization of Scopus-search
- Individual literature search at LUT’s library
No lectures or exercises (Break between the 1st and the 2nd period)
(20.10.- 26.10.2014)
44
No lectures during the 2nd period
Guidelines for the seminar and for working as an opponent
No lectures during the 2nd period
Tentative checks of research plans
No lectures during the 2nd period
Tentative checks of research plans
No lectures during the 2nd period
Seminar presentations
No lectures during the 2nd period
Seminar presentations
No lectures during the 2nd period
Seminar presentations
(27.10.- 2.11.2014)
45
(3.11.- 9.11.2014)
46
(10.11.- 16.11.2014)
47
(17.11.- 23.11.2014)
48
(24.11.- 30.11.2014)
49
(1.12.- 7.12.2014)
Evaluation
• Grading (0) 1…5
• No written exam
• Activity at classroom during the lectures and
exercises 30%, periods 1-2
• Seminar presentation and working as an
opponent 70%, period 2
Topic of the research plan
• Select the topic for your research based on the following general
guidelines:
– The purpose is to carry out scientific research
– You should be familiar with the theoretical basis of the research topic
– It would be good if both qualitative and quantitative methods could be
utilized. However, the main part should be quantitative.
– Try to find the topic from the research area, which is familiar either to
your own home university or to LUT
– Try to find a topic, which requires a research team and where the total
time of the research could be 3-4 years
– Try to avoid too general research topics
– Name the first draft of the research topic during this introduction
lecture and give the final topic to the lecturer during the week 36
– Do not copy any existing research plans!