Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.R.4.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year rudens semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

Scientific Activity

Main Study Course Information

Course Code
DN_224
Branch of Science
Economics and Business; Law; Media and communications; Other social sciences; Political science; Sociology and social work
ECTS
231.00
Target Audience
Communication Science; Health Management; Juridical Science; Management Science; Political Science; Sociology
LQF
Level 8
Study Type And Form
Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor
Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova
Structure Unit Manager
Dace Bandere
Structural Unit
Department of Doctoral Studies
Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, dn@rsu.lv, +371 67409120

About Study Course

Objective

The aim of the study course is to develop orginal scientific research in the field, continuously increasing qualifications in both methodology and interpretation of data, creating the content of the dissertation work under the direction of the scientific supervisor. Ensure successive development of the dissertation work, promote a results-oriented, cross-disciplinary approach to research by preparing competitive researchers in the relevant scientific sector in the international environment. Develop skills in publishing research results of their research paper in the form of theses and internationally cited scientific papers and develop competences for effective and sustainable communication with the scientific community and society as a whole. Promote the ability to argue, use recommendations and criticisms to dynamically improve the research process and contribute to the practical application of all types of knowledge and the development of the knowledge society. Develop cross-cutting skills in the presentation of research results at both local and international scientific level. The scientific research paper provides for the independent work of a doctoral student, continuously increasing qualifications, participation in scientific summer schools, scientific projects in the topic related to the dissertation, participation in doctoral studies, foreign experience exchange programmes, etc.

Preliminary Knowledge

Master’s thesis experience in research, research paper defended, graduating from the Master’s programme. A doctoral studies selection competition presenting the scientific idea, project plan, has been passed.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Doctoral student acquires knowledge of how to evaluate scientific data, individually plan scientific research.

2.Doctoral student acquires knowledge as independently developing knowledge to evaluate the problem to be solved, analyse the causes and find a solution.

3.Doctoral student acquires knowledge of the writing of the dissertation paper, research paper strategy and dissertation design.

4.The doctoral student formulates an analytical framework appropriate to his or her subsector, defines the most up-to-date scientific theories and methodology, gaining a stapdisciplinarian insight into research as a whole and into the contact of different fields.

5.Doctoral student acquires knowledge of technologies and approaches that will be able to be used for effective communication with the public and scientific community.

Skills

1.To create a scientific research paper in the selected sector, including to determine a work strategy, to create a research design, to select and systematise specialised literature, to summarise and sequence the material, to choose an appropriate theory and method, to formulate conclusions.

2.Independently select and classify appropriate methods and organise a large-scale independent research paper, the result of which is the development of the first variant of the dissertation paper and the extension of knowledge boundaries corresponding to international criteria.

3.Illustrate the results of the study both orally, in writing, in expanded and short form, according to the level of prerequisites of the particular lecture theatre.

4.Demonstrate critical evaluation, reasoning of the study, justify conclusions and maintain a collegial discussion, communicate and cooperate at local and international level on current research issues in the field of the relevant scientific sector.

5.Develop constructive and structured reasoning, justify conclusions and maintain a collegial discussion, communicate and cooperate at local and international level on current research issues in the field of the relevant scientific sector.

Competences

1.Capable of modern, original research in the chosen scientific sector.

2.Able to organise independent work in the field of the relevant scientific sector, analyse and critically evaluate the research paper project, as well as communicate professionally about their field of research paper.

3.Able to critically evaluate the results of the independent work and correct them taking into account the instructions of colleagues, the head of the dissertation work and academic staff.

4.Able to formulate, present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors as well as interdisciplinary project consortia, including international ones.

5.Able to perform fully in the field of the relevant scientific sector, analyse scientific projects, participate in the implementation of projects, communicate professionally about their field of research paper and integrate interdisciplinary directions for the achievement of results.

Assessment

Individual work

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Course requirements
-
-

The course provides for independent work of the doctoral student on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis. Within the framework of the course, the doctoral student shall fulfil the following requirements: continuously maintain contacts and work with the head of the dissertation work; to co-ordinate with the subject of the dissertation of the work supervisors; to expand knowledge of the research method in their sector; identify the scientific literature necessary for the dissertation; to establish the empirical base necessary for the work; submit a provisional work plan to the manager; regularly inform the supervisor of the progress of the research work, discussing achievements and scientific problems; discuss the parts of the text of the written dissertation on a regular basis; harmonise the texts of scientific publications with the manager; publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases; participate in relevant sub-sectors as well as in inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones; to inform RSU doctoral department of their work; participate in the scientific discussion on the topic of the dissertation work.
2.

Independent work
-
-

Progress and scientific activity of the dissertation work: During the studies, the doctoral student shall complete his or her profile on the science portal ZDIS Pure, indicating the scientific activity performed during the studies (conferences, publications, projects tuml.).

Publications:

  • To prepare and publish at least two anonymously reviewed scientific publications in scientific publications or conference report publications indexed in databases SCOPUS or Web of Science during studies, where at least one is published in the Q1 or Q2 quartile journal and the doctoral student is the first author;

or

  • , during studies, to produce and publish one anonymously reviewed scientific publication in a scientific publication or edition of conference reports indexed in databases SCOPUS or Web of Science, published in the Q1 or Q2 quartile journal, and the doctoral student is the first author and reviewed scientific monograph on one scientific topic or problem, and contains a bibliography. If a revised scientific monograph is published in Latvian, it shall contain a summary in at least one of the other official languages of the European Union.

Student contribution to the improvement of the study process is the provision of meaningful feedback on the study course by completing its assessment questionnaire.

Examination

Title
% from total grade
Grade
1.

Evaluation criteria
-
Test

Credit points for the year of studies shall be granted:

  1. based on the information submitted by the doctoral student from RSU Scientific activity information system (ZDIS Pure) regarding the scientific activity performed during studies. The doctoral student shall submit to the doctoral department data/Internet environment link regarding the scientific activity performed on the basis of information published for RSU Scientific activity information system (ZDIS Pure);
  2. on the basis of the report of the doctoral student’s head of dissertation regarding the progress of the doctoral student’s dissertation work;
  3. based on participation in the scientific discussion.

at the end of the 4th year of studies, the doctoral student shall submit a ready dissertation regarding his or her subject of the dissertation and the amount of publications corresponding to the commencement of the doctoral process.

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.

  1. Consultation

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Study room
0

Topics

At least 10 consultations in the semester with the head of the dissertation thesis regarding the plan and development stages of the dissertation thesis.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
27.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
30.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test
Part 3

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
27.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 4

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
24.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test
Part 5

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
27.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 6

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
30.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test
Part 7

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
33.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 8

  1. Unaided Work

Modality
Location
Contact hours
Off site
-
0

Topics

Independent work on the preparation and writing of the doctoral dissertation text under the direction of the head of the dissertation thesis.
Publish scientific publications in Q1 or Q2 quartile journals indexed in Scopus or Web of Science databases.
Present the current and innovative nature of the research by creating and participating in relevant sub-sectors, as well as inter-disciplinary project consortia, including international ones.
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
33.00
Contact hours:
0 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Literatūra nosakāma individuāli, atbilstoši doktoranta zinātniskā darba tēmai.

Additional Reading

1.

Literatūra nosakāma individuāli, atbilstoši doktoranta zinātniskā darba tēmai.