Methodology of Scientific Research Work

Study Course Description

Course Description Statuss:Approved

Course Description Version:6.00

Study Course Accepted:09.05.2024 14:44:53

Study Course Information
Course Code:		JF_491		LQF level:		Level 6
Credit Points:		2.00		ECTS:		3.00
Branch of Science:		Law		Target Audience:		Juridical Science; Civil and Military Defense
Study Course Supervisor
Course Supervisor:		Aivars Stankevičs
Study Course Implementer
Structural Unit:		Faculty of Social Sciences
The Head of Structural Unit:
Contacts:		Dzirciema street 16, Rīga, szfrsu[pnkts]lv
Study Course Planning
Full-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		12	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		24
Classes (count)		4	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		8
Total Contact Hours								32
Part-Time - Semester No.1
Lectures (count)		4	Lecture Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Lectures		8
Classes (count)		2	Class Length (academic hours)		2	Total Contact Hours of Classes		4
Total Contact Hours								12
Study course description
Preliminary Knowledge:
Information literacy (Ability to find, select, evaluate, manage and use information necessary for conducting scientific research work).
Objective:
To provide students with an understanding of the issues of scientific research methodology, scientific research methods as a basis for conducting study work, the course of the research process and its organization, as well as the basic principles of developing, designing and defending study work.
Topic Layout (Full-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	The nature of scientific research and the basics of research methodology • Scientific research process • Explanation of research methodology concepts • Specificity of scientific working language • Principles of research ethics and academic integrity • Types of research			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
2	The course and organization of the research process • Selection of the research topic, rationale • Evaluation of literature and creation of a review • Creation of bibliographic references • Data collection and analysis, primary and secondary data; statistical data			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
3	Research design • Research structure and relevance • Research hypothesis or research question • The purpose and tasks of the research • Selection and justification of the research method			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
4	Quantitative and qualitative approach in research • Quantitative research methods and their possibilities of use • Qualitative research methods and prerequisites for their use • Combined use of quantitative and qualitative research methods			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
5	Information (data) extraction methods in research • Document research • Survey methods in research • Interview • Expert survey • Observation • Experiment			Lectures		2.00	auditorium
6	Development, presentation and defense of research works • Preparation of a research paper application • Stages of the research work development process • The design of the research work, in accordance with the methodological regulations • Defense of research work			Lectures		3.00	auditorium
				Classes		2.00	auditorium
Topic Layout (Part-Time)
No.	Topic			Type of Implementation		Number	Venue
1	The nature of scientific research and the basics of research methodology • Scientific research process • Explanation of research methodology concepts • Specificity of scientific working language • Principles of research ethics and academic integrity • Types of research			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
2	The course and organization of the research process • Selection of the research topic, rationale • Evaluation of literature and creation of a review • Creation of bibliographic references • Data collection and analysis, primary and secondary data; statistical data			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
3	Research design • Research structure and relevance • Research hypothesis or research question • The purpose and tasks of the research • Selection and justification of the research method			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
4	Quantitative and qualitative approach in research • Quantitative research methods and their possibilities of use • Qualitative research methods and prerequisites for their use • Combined use of quantitative and qualitative research methods			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
5	Information (data) extraction methods in research • Document research • Survey methods in research • Interview • Expert survey • Observation • Experiment			Lectures		0.50	auditorium
6	Development, presentation and defense of research works • Preparation of a research paper application • Stages of the research work development process • The design of the research work, in accordance with the methodological regulations • Defense of research work			Lectures		1.00	auditorium
				Classes		1.00	auditorium
Assessment
Unaided Work:
Students in the group develop independent work (one independent work sub-topic for each student) on one of the topics discussed in the study course and publicly present the results of the developed work.
Assessment Criteria:
The assessment criteria consist of three components (in the form of final grades: participation and activities 25%; completed independent work 25%; successfully passed exam 50%): • Student participation and activity in contact classes (lectures and practical classes). A student who has attended less than half of the contact classes is not allowed to take the final test - the exam. • All independent work done in a certain time and quality. A student who has not completed the tasks of the independent work within the specified time or has obtained an insufficient assessment in the independent work is not allowed to take the final test - the exam. • Final test – exam (written). The exam results are evaluated on a 10-point scale.
Final Examination (Full-Time):		Exam (Written)
Final Examination (Part-Time):		Exam (Written)
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge:		By completing the study course, the student develops an understanding of the most important aspects of research, ethical principles of scientific research, types of research, research methods, tools and their application at work.
Skills:		The student can apply the theoretical knowledge acquired in the study course in practice, analyze research works, determine scientific categories, set a research goal and organize the research process, obtain, collect and analyze the data necessary for the research, design and present the research results.
Competencies:		After completing the study course, the student will be able to independently conduct practical research, recognize errors in methodology and analyze scientific literature.
Bibliography
No.	Reference
Required Reading
1	Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A., Kamerāde, D. Pētniecība. Teorija un prakse. Rīga: RaKa, 2016. 546 lpp.
2	Kristapsone, S. Zinātniskā pētniecība studiju procesā. Rīga: Biznesa augstskola Turība, 2014. 352 lpp.
3	Pētnieciskā darba izstrādes, noformēšanas un aizstāvēšanas metodiskie noteikumi. Rīga: RSU JF Dome, 2021. gada 17. jūnija sēde, Protokols Nr. 8-3-1/13/2021
Additional Reading
1	Eko, U. Kā uzrakstīt diplomdarbu. Rīga: Jāņa Rozes apgāds, 2006. 319 lpp.
2	Mārtinsone, K. Ievads pētniecībā: stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Rīga: RaKA, 2011. 284 lpp.