Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Research Methodology
Course Code
SVUEK_061
Branch of Science
Philosophy of Mind and Cognition (Epistemology, Gnozeology); Philosophy, Ethics and Religion
ECTS
3.00
Target Audience
Clinical Pharmacy; Dentistry; Medicine; Nursing Science; Pharmacy; Psychology; Public Health
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Anita Villeruša
Structure Unit Manager
Anda Ķīvīte-Urtāne
Structural Unit
Institute of Public Health
Contacts
Riga, 9 Kronvalda boulevard, svek@rsu.lv, +371 67338307
About Study Course
Objective
To deepen understanding and skills in research methodology, to broaden the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure the research process for conducting scientific research in the field of medicine and health care. To improve skills for independent planning and implementation of research, observing the general and field specific principles of research. To develop the ability to identify and to reduce possible limitations of the research, as well as ability to critically evaluate the strength of scientific evidence, to communicate about the research plan.
Preliminary Knowledge
Basic knowledge of philosophy, ethics, epidemiology and research methods.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.The doctoral student knows and understands the methodological process of scientific research; using research terminology, the doctoral student will describe the stages of research planning, create and defend a conceptual model of his / her research; critically evaluate the suitability of the research design and data to achieve the objectives, will be able to identify risks and offer solutions to ensure scientific strength.
Skills
1.The doctoral student will be able to put forward and formulate scientific-research ideas within the chosen research theory; to independently choose and evaluate appropriate research methods in accordance with the chosen research idea; to perform critical evaluation of scientific research works; communicate orally and in writing about the research work.
Competences
1.The doctoral student will develop the plan for his / her potential draft research and implement it in accordance with the set research goal, integrating the necessary knowledge and skills in the further research process.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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The quality of the submitted and presented research project proposal.
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Examination |
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Active individual participation in the classes; submission and presentation of the research project proposal with conceptual model; discussion of it.
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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A variable in research. Creation of the conceptual model of research.
Description
Annotation: Research variables. Types of variables. Dependent and independent variables, conceptual and operational definition of variable, measurement dimensions. Creation of the conceptual model of research.
Topics covered during the class: What is the process of measuring variables in research?
How do different variables differ in their type and measurement capabilities?
Why we need a conceptual and operational definition of a variable?
How to create a conceptual model of the research?
Literature: Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site; pp.155-165; 215-231
Laake Petter, Haakon Breien Benestad, and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences [electronic Resource] / Edited by Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Amsterdam: Academic, 2007. Print. pp. 103-112
Kristīne Martinsone, Anita Pipere, & Daiga Kamerade. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse [Research: theory and practice]. 2016, 316.- 322.pp.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Development of a research plan. Research question and types of designs.
Description
Annotation: Development of a research plan. Use of theory in formulating a research question. Research question and hypothesis in qualitative and quantitative research. Research tasks. Choice of research design depending on the research paradigm, the theory used and the research question. Types of designs, their advantages.
Topics covered during the class: What are the key elements of the research plan?
How to use theory to define the boundaries of a research problem?
What are the differences in research question for quantitative and qualitative studies?
What to consider when choosing the most suitable study design?
Literature: Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site; pp.37-105; 129-146
Laake Petter, Haakon Breien Benestad, and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences [electronic Resource] / Edited by Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Amsterdam: Academic, 2007. Print.; pp.199-285
Kristīne Martinsone, Anita Pipere & Daiga Kamerade. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse [Research: theory and practice]. 2016, 117.-203.pp.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Presentation of doctoral students' research work applications. Discussion of conceptual models of research presented by doctoral students.
Description
Annotation: The doctoral student highlights the topicality and significance of the researched problem in the field. Defines the purpose of the research and the research question. Justifies the suitability of the methodological approach of the study. Demonstrates the theoretical / conceptual model of the research. Systematizes the variables included in it, provides conceptual and operational definition of variables.
Topics covered during the class: Does the aim of the study agree with the research question?
Will the proposed research design provide an answer to the research question?
Will the features included in the conceptual model characterize the research design, provide an answer to the research question, and allow the goal to be achieved?
Literature: Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site; pp 205-212.
Sudheesh, K., Duggappa, D. R., & Nethra, S. S. (2016). How to write a research proposal?. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 60(9), 631–634. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5049.190617 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Research data, their types and acquisition.
Description
Annotation: Data sources, their diversity, suitability for the implementation of the research idea. Acquisition of data in quantitative and qualitative research. Procedure for obtaining quantitative research data. Sample and types of sampling. Selection and design of measuring instruments, its suitability for the research question. Principles of creating a questionnaire. Evaluation of measuring instruments and measurements.
Topics covered during the class: What are the most appropriate data sources to prove the research question?
How do the ways of obtaining information in quantitative and qualitative research differ?
What should be considered when selecting study participants?
What are the basic principles for creating a questionnaire?
Literature: Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site; pp. 109-178.
Laake Petter, Haakon Breien Benestad, and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences [electronic Resource] / Edited by Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Amsterdam: Academic, 2007. Print.; pp.103-124; 285-310
Kristīne Martinsone, Anita Pipere & Daiga Kamerade. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse [Research: theory and practice]. 2016, 206.- 314.pp.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The process of scientific research from idea to research goal.
Description
Annotation: Research paradigms in science, philosophical basis. Differences between quantitative and qualitative approaches in research. Research process, its stages. Search, nomination and development of research ideas. Aspects of scientific problem selection, problem analysis and formulation. Preparation of the justification for the research problem. Formulation of the research goal in quantitative and qualitative research.
Topics covered during the class: What is the difference between inductive, abductive and deductive thinking and action in research?
What is common and different in the quantitative and qualitative approaches to research?
Why the problem is worth to research?
How to formulate the research goal?
Literature: Laake Petter, Haakon Breien Benestad, and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences [electronic Resource] / Edited by Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Amsterdam: Academic, 2007. Print.pp.1-33; 93-97; 281-284
Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site , pp. 1- 26
Kristine Martinsone, Anita Pipere & Daiga Kamerade. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse [Research: theory and practice]. 2016, 25.-116. pp.
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Class/Seminar
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
|
Auditorium
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2
|
Topics
|
Presentation of doctoral students' research work applications. Discussion of conceptual models of research presented by doctoral students.
Description
Annotation: The doctoral student highlights the topicality and significance of the researched problem in the field. Defines the purpose of the research and the research question. Justifies the suitability of the methodological approach of the study. Demonstrates the theoretical / conceptual model of the research. Systematizes the variables included in it, provides conceptual and operational definition of variables.
Topics covered during the class: Does the aim of the study agree with the research question?
Will the proposed research design provide an answer to the research question?
Will the features included in the conceptual model characterize the research design, provide an answer to the research question, and allow the goal to be achieved?
Literature: Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site; pp 205-212.
Sudheesh, K., Duggappa, D. R., & Nethra, S. S. (2016). How to write a research proposal?. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 60(9), 631–634. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5049.190617 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5037942/
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Improving knowledge about the research topic and the research process. Scientific publication as a part of the research process.
Description
Annotation: Literature review in determining the scale of the research problem, research direction and integration of theoretical findings into the research plan. Critical evaluation and systematization of literature. Planning of scientific publication at the beginning of the research process. Reading and critical evaluation of scientific publications – the basis for successful planning of research and scientific publications. Use of the research conceptual model for planning scientific publications. The most important factors for the successful completion of the research process, i.e. the publication of research results.
Topics covered during the class: What are the main elements of the literature review required for the development of the research plan?
At what stage of the research process is scientific publication being considered?
How can the conceptual model of the research be used in the planning of scientific publications?
What ensures a successful outcome of a scientific publication?
Literature: Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site; pp.13-20; 273-344
Laake Petter, Haakon Breien Benestad, and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences [electronic Resource] / Edited by Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Amsterdam: Academic, 2007. Print.How to write a first-class paper. Nature 555, 129-130 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-02404-4; pp. 125-155; 383-414.
Kristine Martinsone, Anita Pipere & Daiga Kamerade. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse [Research: theory and practice]. 2016, 420.-427.pp.
Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Kristīnes Mārtinsones un Anitas Piperes zinātniskajā redakcijā. [Autoru kolektīvs]. Rīga: RSU,2018, 77.-137.pp.
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-
Class/Seminar
|
Modality
|
Location
|
Contact hours
|
|---|---|---|
|
On site
|
Auditorium
|
2
|
Topics
|
Improving knowledge about the research topic and the research process. Scientific publication as a part of the research process.
Description
Annotation: Literature review in determining the scale of the research problem, research direction and integration of theoretical findings into the research plan. Critical evaluation and systematization of literature. Planning of scientific publication at the beginning of the research process. Reading and critical evaluation of scientific publications – the basis for successful planning of research and scientific publications. Use of the research conceptual model for planning scientific publications. The most important factors for the successful completion of the research process, i.e. the publication of research results.
Topics covered during the class: What are the main elements of the literature review required for the development of the research plan?
At what stage of the research process is scientific publication being considered?
How can the conceptual model of the research be used in the planning of scientific publications?
What ensures a successful outcome of a scientific publication?
Literature: Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods. Vol 2nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2016. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBook: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk &AN=1089664&site=ehost-live&scope=site; pp.13-20; 273-344
Laake Petter, Haakon Breien Benestad, and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences [electronic Resource] / Edited by Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Amsterdam: Academic, 2007. Print.How to write a first-class paper. Nature 555, 129-130 (2018); https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-018-02404-4; pp. 125-155; 383-414.
Kristine Martinsone, Anita Pipere & Daiga Kamerade. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse [Research: theory and practice]. 2016, 420.-427.pp.
Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Kristīnes Mārtinsones un Anitas Piperes zinātniskajā redakcijā. [Autoru kolektīvs]. Rīga: RSU,2018, 77.-137.pp.
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Kathryn H. Jacobsen. Introduction to Health Research Methods: A Practical Guide. Vol 3nd ed. Jones & Bartlett Learning; 2020. Accessed April 1, 2021. eBookSuitable for English stream
2.
Research Methodology in the Medical and Biological Sciences [electronic Resource] / Edited by Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad and Bjørn Reino Olsen. Amsterdam: Academic, 2007. (akceptējams izdevums)Suitable for English stream
3.
Kristīne Martinsone, Anita Pipere & Daiga Kamerade. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse [Research: theory and practice]. 2016.
4.
Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Kristīnes Mārtinsones un Anitas Piperes zinātniskajā redakcijā. [Autoru kolektīvs]. Rīga: RSU, 2019. 301 lpp.
Additional Reading
1.
Petter Laake, Haakon Breien Benestad, Research in Medical and Biological Sciences: From Planning and Preparation to Grant Application and Publication. Academic Press, 2015Suitable for English stream
2.
Greenhalgh T. How to read a paper. The basics of evidence-based medicine (5th ed.). BMJ Books, 2014.Suitable for English stream
3.
Hall GM. How to write a paper (4th ed.). BMJ Books, 2013.Suitable for English stream
4.
Ian McDowell. Measuring Health: A guide to rating Scales and Questionnaires. Oxford University press, 2006.Suitable for English stream