Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Research Methods and Digital Literacy
Course Code
LF_705
Branch of Science
Educational sciences
ECTS
4.00
Target Audience
Medical Services
LQF
Level 5
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Līga Ēriksone
Structure Unit Manager
Elīna Tolmačova
Structural Unit
Kurzeme Study Centre
Contacts
Liepaja, Riņķu iela 24/26, lf@rsu.lv, +371 63442118, +371 63442119, +371 63484632
About Study Course
Objective
The aim of the study course is to develop the understanding of students in a medical massage regarding the basic principles and methods of scientific research, as well as to improve digital literacy skills in searching, evaluating, processing and presenting information. Acquire a general view of library resources and promote and deepen skills in searching for medical and healthcare information in online databases and open access medical information resources. The course promotes students’ ability to use evidence-based information in professional activities, as well as to engage in research and projects in the field of health care and social welfare, and prepares students for the development of academic work, professional communication in the digital environment.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge necessary for successful completion of the study course:
- basic computer skills, including text editing, document storage, and file management;
- basic principles of internet usage, web search of information and use of electronic resources;
- the foundations of academic writing of the Latvian language in order to be able to formulate thoughts in a structured written form;
- basic understanding of the healthcare sector and the professional environment of therapeutic massage obtained from the programme introduction courses;
- key competences in the analysis and compilation of information.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.As a result of the completion of the study course, students shall: * understand the nature, principles and role of scientific research in healthcare and therapeutic massage practices; * will be familiar with key stages of the research process (problem formulation, literature analysis, choice of methodology, data analysis and interpretation of results); * understand the basic principles of quantitative and qualitative research methods; * be familiar with the basic principles of academic writing and quoting, as well as the requirements of academic integrity; * understand the types of digital information sources, their reliability assessment criteria and information search strategies in scientific databases; * will be familiar with the capabilities of digital tools in data processing, information organization, and presentation.
Skills
1.As a result of the completion of the study course, students will be able to: * formulate the problem, purpose and objectives of research; * conduct targeted searches and analyses of scientific literature in digital databases; * work independently with electronic resources, apply extended search skills to search for electronic information * to assess the reliability and relevance of the sources of information for the purpose of research; * structure and design academic work in accordance with the requirements of quotation and bibliographical references; * use digital tools for information processing, data collection and visualisation; * prepare and present the results of the study in the digital environment: * implement evidence-based practices using research methodology and terminology; * independently plan and implement a small-scale study; * make informed decisions based on the results of the study; * demonstrate critical thinking and analytical approach to dealing with professional problems.
Competences
1.As a result of the completion of the study course, students acquire competence: * use research-based information in professional practice of therapeutic massage; * critically evaluate scientific information and its applicability in healthcare; * independently plan and implement simple research tasks in the context of professional activities; * observe the principles of academic integrity and the norms of professional ethics in working with information; * make effective use of digital technologies for professional communication, information management and knowledge development; * to be able to make informed decisions based on the results of the study; * demonstrate critical thinking and analytical approach to dealing with professional problems.
Assessment
Individual work
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Independent asynchronous learning in e-studies |
-
|
-
|
|
Learning independently at a convenient time and pace for yourself, using materials available in e-studies. E-studies provide both compulsory learning and additional (optional) materials. |
||
|
2.
Familiarise yourself with RSU and RSU LF documentation, which is binding for the development of qualification work. |
-
|
-
|
|
Independent research of current documentation, which is binding in the development of qualification work, at a convenient time and pace for oneself, using materials available in e-studies and on RSU website. |
||
|
3.
Presentation - study analysis |
-
|
Test
|
|
Using electronic resources, searches for research, scientific articles in databases on a predefined topic, and analyzes the found study by diagram (sample) inserted into e-studies and creates a PowerPoint presentation. The literature used shall be drawn up in accordance with the requirements. |
||
|
4.
Thought card |
-
|
-
|
|
Prepare for the “thought card” lesson - Select potential research issues. Create a thought card according to a planned research problem, argue a choice. |
||
|
5.
Scientific categories and design of the study |
-
|
-
|
|
Prepare a description of the scientific category and design of the research according to a potential topic of qualification work. |
||
|
6.
Study participants, instrumentarium and research ethics |
-
|
-
|
|
Prepare a description of participants in the planned study (sample, selection criteria, volume). Prepare an instrument review according to the planned research topic. Familiarize yourself with the ethical aspects of the study. |
||
|
7.
RSU LF K1 form |
-
|
10 points
|
|
Prepare RSU LF K1 form for presentation of the topic. |
||
|
8.
RSU LF K2 form |
-
|
10 points
|
|
Prepare RSU LF K2 form and research instruments for the presentation of the research project. |
||
Examination
|
Title
|
% from total grade
|
Grade
|
|---|---|---|
|
1.
Presentation of the scientific Article |
-
|
Test
|
|
Present the prepared analysis of the scientific Article in accordance with the requirements included in e-studies. |
||
|
2.
Scientific categories and study design |
-
|
-
|
|
Present the scientific categories prepared and the study design chosen accordingly. Justifies the design choice. |
||
|
3.
Study participants and study ethics |
-
|
-
|
|
Present a prepared overview of the selection, sample size and type of study sample. Criteria for the selection of participants. Choosing the basic ethical principles of the study in the study. |
||
|
4.
RSU LF K1 form |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
Presentation of RSU LF K1 page (study topic and basic concept). |
||
|
5.
Presentation of the research project and instruments (RSU LF K2 form) |
50.00% from total grade
|
10 points
|
|
At the end of the course, the student takes the examination (in oral form): presentation of page K2 - 60% of the total cumulative assessment (The re-defending rating of page K2 will be reduced by 10%). The assessment is in a 10-point system, according to RSU academic Regulations I. There must be 100% class attendance in order for the student to be admitted to the examination for this course, as well as all examinations must be successfully passed. |
||
Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
E resource repository. Plagiarism, copyright law and ethical norms of study works.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Types of references and creating bibliographic references. EndNote referencing tool.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Innovative information search methods. PubMed database: building search strategies, working with results and saving results.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital competences and their importance in professional life. Digital technologies and digital content creation. Information resources in the digital library. The concept of information literacy and information seeking strategies
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital competences and their importance in professional life. Digital technologies and digital content creation. Information resources in the digital library. The concept of information literacy and information seeking strategies
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
1.00
Contact hours:
10 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Digital competences and their importance in professional life. Digital technologies and digital content creation. Information resources in the digital library. The concept of information literacy and information seeking strategies
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
E resource repository. Plagiarism, copyright law and ethical norms of study works.
|
|
Types of references and creating bibliographic references. EndNote referencing tool.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Innovative information search methods. PubMed database: building search strategies, working with results and saving results.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Functions of science, scientific research process, research concepts. Research project. Determination of the research problem, research objective, tasks. Ethical principles of research and their regulatory acts.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Functions of science, scientific research process, research concepts. Research project. Determination of the research problem, research objective, tasks. Ethical principles of research and their regulatory acts.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Aspects of methodology – truth of knowledge, validity, basic principles of strategy. Literature used in research, theoretical basis of the research.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Aspects of methodology – truth of knowledge, validity, basic principles of strategy. Literature used in research, theoretical basis of the research.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Research methods, research types (designs). Research stages.
|
-
Lecture
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Research tools.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Mind map – structuring information, defining the research problem – context of the problem, scientific basis and practical application. Research purpose and tasks. Research hypothesis, research question.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Research strategy. Sampling and selection of research participants (respondents). Using the calculator to create a sample of respondents.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Structure and development of research instruments. Use of ready-made tools, translation and adaptation process. Appropriateness of the instruments to the research strategy.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Structure and development of research instruments. Use of ready-made tools, translation and adaptation process. Appropriateness of the instruments to the research strategy.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Research progress and research review – research data collection, processing and description, interpretation. Conclusions. Analysis of scientific literature.
|
-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Study room
|
2
|
Topics
|
Research progress and research review – research data collection, processing and description, interpretation. Conclusions. Analysis of scientific literature.
|
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
30 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam (Written)
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Autoru kolektīvs. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Raka, 2011. (akceptējams izdevums)
2.
Kristapsone S. Zinātniskā pētniecība studiju procesā. Raka, 2014
3.
Kroplijs A., Rašcevska M. 4. Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Rīga, Raka, 2010. (akceptējams izdevums)
4.
Lasmanis A. Datu ieguves, apstrādes un analīzes metodes pedegoģijas un psiholoģijas pētījumos. 2002. (akceptējams izdevums)
5.
Medicīnas informācijas pamatu apgūšana elektroniskajos resursos. Mācību materiāls informācijpratībā. Spila D., Znotiņa I. Rīga: RSU, 2014
6.
Spila D. Pasaules medicīnas citējamo žurnālu datubāze PubMed un informācijas meklēšanas iespējas: Mācību materiāls informācijpratībā. Rīga: RSU, 2013. – 76 lpp.
7.
Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana.. Rīga: RSU, 2019
8.
Znotiņa I. Uz pierādījumiem balstītas medicīnas resursi - labāko pierādījumu meklēšana un izmantošana. Mācību materiāls informācijpratībā. Rīga: RSU, 2014
Additional Reading
1.
Creswell, John W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Method Approaches. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage, 2018
2.
Thomas, D. and Hodges, I. Designing and Managing Your Research Project: Core Skills for Social and Health Researchers. London: Sage, 2010