Кто читает:: Департамент образовательных программ

Статус:: Курс обязательный

Когда читается:: 1-й курс, 1-4 модуль

Преподаватели

Майснер Дирк

Нефедова Алёна Игоревна

Стрельцова Екатерина Александровна

Full Syllabus Ask Question

Abstract

This compulsory course is delivered to students of the Master Program ‘Science, Technology and Innovation Management and Policy’ at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE). It is delivered during both years of studies, and its length is 456 academic hours in total of which 132 are classroom hours and 324 hours are devoted to self-study. The first part of the course (1st year) addresses the design, preparation and implementation of research projects. Its central objective is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to independently plan and pursue academic research. To do so, the course starts with an outline of the main philosophical assumptions of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies. Students will learn to critically reflect on the implications these assumptions have for the research design and methodology. Further, the course discusses the key steps of scientific work – research topic identification and problematization, questions and hypotheses formulation, writing a comprehensive literature review, etc. Particular attention is given to the research methods often used in the field of STI studies: survey, interview, case study, secondary statistical data analysis, etc. The course then continues with a block of lectures and seminars on data analysis, interpretation and presentation.The second part of the course (2nd year) is designed to extend students’ expertise in the field of STI studies: to introduce them to the forefront research topics and practical issues, addressed by experts and academic community; to share the first-hand experience of using different methods for STI-related research projects; and to discuss the typical mistakes and helpful research tips. Equally, the course aims to assist students in choosing relevant topics for their master research, writing their master theses research proposals (MTRPs), and their further realization in master theses. The course is reading- and writing-intensive. The final grade is based on the number of activities organized during the two years of studies.

Learning Objectives

To provide students with practical knowledge and skills necessary for the successful development of a research proposal and further realization of their research projects (Year 1).
To broaden students’ knowledge on social studies research methods, especially those traditionally used in STI studies (Year 1).
To train students’ analytical and critical thinking skills (Year 1).
To extend students’ expertise in the field of STI (Year 2).
To assist students in identifying relevant topics for their master research, and developing proper research design (Year 2).
To equip students with knowledge and skills necessary for the successful development of MTRPs and further realization of their research projects (Year 2).
To train students’ analytical and critical thinking skills (Year 2).

Expected Learning Outcomes

Ability to devote resources to long-term management strategies and collaboration with research base for improving management concepts
Ability to identify and communicate the form and amount of information needed for decision making; check completeness, process and interpret information

Course Contents

1.1. Introduction to the course
1.2. Term paper guidelines and regulations
2. STI studies: overview of the academic field
3.1. Research design and its key elements: research topic, problem, questions, goals, hypotheses
3.2. Literature review: strategies and algorithms
4.1. Research methodologies and method selection
4.2. Interview and focus group
4.3. Survey research
4.4. Sample
4.5. Case study
4.6. Document analysis and content analysis
5.1. Introduction to data analysis
5.2. Quantitative data analysis
5.3. Qualitative data analysis
6. Delivering your research results. Presentation and analytical reports.
7. Research proposal
Year 2. 8.1. Introduction to the course. Master thesis guidelines and regulations.
Year 2. 8.2. Research basics: a brief tour to research design and academic writing
Year 2. 9.1. Science in/for the modern world: new challenges and responses
Year 2. 9.2. Un-isolated science: a dialogue with society and government
Year 2. 9.3. New dimensions of technological growth: local vs. global
Year 2. 9.4. Commercialization of research: strategies and barriers
Year 2. 9.5. Social impact of technological progress
Year 2. 10. MT training
Year 2. 11. MTRPs

Assessment Elements

In-class assignments (Year 1)
For five classes, there are special tasks designed to control the preparation for the session (based on required and optional readings) and understanding of the topic under discussion (quizzes, short essays, work in groups, participation in group discussions, pitch presentations, etc.).
Master Thesis Research Proposal (defense, Year 2)
MTRP is to be presented and defended orally, in a form of a presentation of 15-20 minutes. The presentation should cover all the elements required in written MTRP.
Master Thesis Research Proposal (written, Year 2)
MTRP is a brief introduction of a research project designed for a master thesis. It should include the following elements: - Title; - Introduction, including (preliminary) literature review and problem statement; - Research questions and/or hypotheses; - Aims and goals; - Methodology (methods and techniques to be used, incl. explanation of the choice); - Scientific and/or practical novelty/relevance of research; - Time plan. - For a perfect evaluation, MTRP should meet the following criteria: - Research topic is relevant for the field of STI management and appropriate for a master thesis research project; - Research problem / motivation is clearly stated and reasoned; - Research question(s) / aim(s) is reasonable, clearly formulated and can be answered / achieved as a result of a study; - Preliminary literature review provides a sufficient background for the further study; a sufficient number of papers is critically analyzed; - The methods chosen are appropriate and well-reasoned; - The novelty of a project is explained; - Research plan is feasible; - The quality of argumentation is appropriate; - The structure of MTRP follows the recommended template and includes all the required elements; - The quality of communication (language, text coherence) is appropriate. MTRP is not limited in volume, the minimum is 3 pp.
Homework (Year 1)
There are two homework tasks during the course: - (individual) a quantitative data analysis (identifying the level of measurement within a questionnaire; calculating basic descriptive statistics) - (in groups) a qualitative data analysis followed by a presentation of the results. All the tasks are obligatory and evaluated according to the quality (of the design or analysis) and presentation (coherence, clarity) of the results.
In-class participation (Year 2)
For each class, there is a special task designed to control the preparation for the session (based on required and optional readings) and understanding of the topic under discussion (quizzes, short essays, work in groups, participation in group discussions, pitch presentations, etc.). A successful completion of a task and/or a valuable contribution made to the class by a student’s participation are rewarded with a pass.
Term Paper Research Proposal (Year 1)
TPRP is a brief introduction of a research project designed to write a term paper. It should include the following elements: - Title; - Introduction, including (preliminary) literature review and problem statement; - Research questions and/or hypotheses; - Aims and goals; - Methodology (methods and techniques to be used, incl. explanation of the choice); - Scientific and/or practical novelty/relevance of research; - Time plan. TPRP is not limited in volume, the minimum is 3 pp.

Interim Assessment

2024/2025 4th module
Year 1 = 35% In-class participation + 30% Homework + 35% TP Research Proposal Year 2 (total for the course) = 20% Mentor’s Seminar (1st year) + 30% In-class participation + 30% MTRP (written) + 20% MTRP (defense)
2025/2026 3rd module
3.1. Grading formulae Year 1 = 35% In-class participation + 30% Homework + 35% TP Research Proposal Year 2 (total for the course) = 20% Mentor’s Seminar (1st year) + 30% In-class participation + 30% MTRP (written) + 20% MTRP (defense)

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

Alvesson M., Spicer A. (2016) (Un)Conditional surrender? Why do professionals willingly comply with managerialism // Journal of Organizational Change Management, 29(1). – 29-45.
Case study research : principles and practices, Gerring, J., 2007
Conducting research literature reviews : from the Internet to paper, Fink, A., 2005
Georg M. Eichler, & Erich J. Schwarz. (2019). What Sustainable Development Goals Do Social Innovations Address? A Systematic Review and Content Analysis of Social Innovation Literature. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.F879E2B0
How to do your research project : a guide for students in education and applied social sciences, Thomas, G., 2013
Jenny Rowley. (2014). Designing and using research questionnaires. Management Research Review, (3), 308. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-02-2013-0027?utm_campaign=RePEc&WT.mc_id=RePEc
Research design : qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches, Creswell, J. W., 2009
Seawright, J., & Gerring, J. (2008). Case Selection Techniques in Case Study Research: A Menu of Qualitative and Quantitative Options. Political Research Quarterly, 61(2), 294–308. https://doi.org/10.1177/1065912907313077
Timothy J. Ellis, & Yair Levy. (2008). Framework of Problem-Based Research: A Guide for Novice Researchers on the Development of a Research-Worthy Problem. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.A95F4B40
Writing scientific research articles : strategy and steps, Cargill, M., 2021

Recommended Additional Bibliography

Haunberger, S. (2016). International Handbook of Survey Methodology. E. D. de Leeuw, J. J. Hox & D. A. Dillman, 2008. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.B0965933
Katz, M. J. (2006). From Research to Manuscript : A Guide to Scientific Writing. Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=165671
Krick, E., Christensen, J., & Holst, C. (2019). Between “Scientization” and a “Participatory Turn”. Tracing shifts in the governance of policy advice. Science & Public Policy (SPP), 46(6), 927–939. https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scz040
Norman M. Bradburn, Seymour Sudman, & Brian Wansink. (2004). Asking Questions : The Definitive Guide to Questionnaire Design —— For Market Research, Political Polls, and Social and Health Questionnaires: Vol. Rev. ed. Jossey-Bass.
Petra Lietz. (2008). Questionnaire design in attitude and opinion research: Current state of an art. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.1F9B720

Authors

Зинченко Екатерина Андреевна
Nefedova Alena Igorevna
Maisner Dirk

Магистерская программа «Управление в сфере науки, технологий и инноваций»

Seminar of the Mentor “Scientific Research Methods for STI”