MT2521 - Research Methodology with emphasis on Engineering Science

1. Descision

This course is established by Department of Mechanical Engineering 2013-04-30. The course syllabus is approved by Department of Engineering 2013-04-30 and applies from 2013-04-30.

2. Entry requirements

Completed studies of at least 180 credits in the field of technology.

3. Objective and content

3.1 Objective

The goal of the course is to give a fundamental introduction to modern approach to science, particularly to nature and engineering sciences. The course gives also an insight on history and philosophy of science and how the scientific methods could be applied in electrical and mechanical engineering. After the course the students should be able to curry on research projects and write a scientific report.

3.2 Content

PART 1: Theory, 2.5 ECTS credits

• History of science. A way from experience facts to experimentalism and bring up questions at issues as observations, experimental attempt, induction and deduction.

• Modern theory of science: falsificationism, Kuhn’s paradigm, Lakato’s research programmes, Feyerabend’s anarchistic theory of science, subjective Bayesians, and new experimentalism.

• Principle of scientific methods.

• How to organise and write thesis/scientific report

• Legal and ethical aspects of research.

• Modern search tools for scientific sources.

PART 2: Project/Seminar, 5 ECTS credits

• Approaching research problem - a research question and hypothesis

• Validation and verification of research hypothesis

• Content of research report

• Using journal and conference templates

• Presenting and disputing of research results

• Reviewing of the research reports.

• Project management – project plan, milestones and deliveries

• Team work management

4. Learning outcomes

The following learning outcomes are examined in the course:

After the course the students should be able to:

have understanding for fundamental concept and theory concerning modern paradigm in science, special in natural and engineering sciences
have a knowledge in scientific history and philosophy
apply scientific methods within engineering
write, present and dispute scientific papers and reports
analyse, review and oppose scientific papers and reports
use search tools and sources to base the research on scientific content
cooperate within a project group and apply project management tools.

5. Learning activities

The teaching comprises lectures, group assignments and seminars.
Education and its contents will in extent be aimed against needs that arise at practice of the engineer trade.

6. Assessment and grading

Modes of examinations of the course

Code	Module	Credit	Grade
1310	Written examination	2.5 credits	AF
1320	Project	5 credits	GU

The course will be graded A Excellent, B Very good, C Good, D Satisfactory, E Sufficient, FX Failed result, a little more work required, F Fail.

Examinations can happen continuously during the course, by test at the end of the course or through a combination of these two forms.
Examinations can be oral and/or written.
In order to get grade 3 or higher the student has to show clearly that the faith spirit objectives been achieved.
If grade Fx are given, the student may after consultation with the course coordinator / examiner get an opportunity to within 6 weeks complement to grade E for the specific course element.

The information before the start of the course states the assessment criteria and make explicit in which modes of examination that the learning outcomes are assessed.

An examiner can, after consulting the Disability Advisor at BTH, decide on a customized examination form for a student with a long-term disability to be provided with an examination equivalent to one given to a student who is not disabled.

7. Course evaluation

The course evaluation should be carried out in line with BTH:s course evaluation template and process.

8. Restrictions regarding degree

The course can form part of a degree but not together with another course the content of which completely or partly corresponds with the contents of this course.

9. Course literature and other materials of instruction

Compulsory literature:

A.F. Chalmers: What is this Thing Called Science? ISBN 0-87220-452-9.

Compendia (provided by a teacher)
Internet
Data basis

Complementary literature:

A.F. Chalmers. Vad är vetenskap egentligen? Om väsen och status hos vetenskapen och dess metoder. ISBN-10: 9157804257.

Graziano, A.M., Raulin, M.L. Research Methods. A Process on Inquiry. ISBN 0-205-51221-6.

Samir Okasa. Philosophy of Science; A Very Short Introduction. ISBN 978-0-19-280283-5.

Wayne C Booth, Gregory G Colomb, Joseph M Williams: Craft of Research. ISBN 9780226065663.

Wayne C Booth, Gregory G Colomb, Joseph M Williams. Forskning och skrivande: konsten att skriva enkelt och effektivt. ISBN 9789144032276.

10. Additional information

This course replaces MT2511

Course syllabus