Course Name :  Research Methodology

Degree: MS/PhD

Code

Year/Semester

Local Credits

ECTS Credits

Course Implementation, Hours/Week

Course

Tutorial

Laboratory

MTME

539/639

Fall/Spring

XXX

XXX

3

0

0

Department

Maritime Transportation and Management Engineering

Instructors

Yrd. Doç Dr. Aydın Şıhmantepe

Contact Information

asihmantepe@pirireis.edu.tr, 0216 581 00 50 (1276)

Office Hours

09:00-11:00 Friday

Web page

www.pirireis.edu.tr

Course Type

 Compulsary

Course Language

English

Course Prerequisites

None

Course Category by Content, %

Basic Sciences

Engineering Science

Engineering Design

Humanities

30

30

-

40

Course Description

This course aims to provide essential information on designing and adhering to the appropriate methodology throughout a scientific research for improving the quality of the research.

The course is designed both for Masters and Doctoral students. The course presents a brief overview of the research methodology. Basic knowledge such as defining a research problem, variety of research techniques, comparative methods as well as qualitative and quantitative methods are covered within the course.  

Course Objectives

1.  To define what scientific research is.

2.  To provide information on objectives and motivation of research.

3. To set forth types of research and provide differences of approaches

4. To discuss the difference between research methods and methodology

5. To discuss research process and criteria of quality research

6. To provide knowledge on designing a research starting from defining the research problem.

7. To provide a medium for candidates to perform a research and present the outcomes of a completed research

Course Learning Outcomes

Students who pass the course will:

I. Have a better understanding of what scientific research is.

II. Be able to differentiate requirements of different types of research.

III. Be able to determine the basic requirements of a research.

IV. Be able to design their research and form research questions for their study.

V. Be able to set their criteria and variables for their research.

VI. Understand and decide the research methods they likely to use .

VII. Be able to complete a small-scale research to meet the basic requirements of research methodology.

Instructional Methods and Techniques

Lecture will be conducted in three-hour formal sessions. After covering the essential information on research methodology, in-class discussions will be held to enhance the understanding of students on the subject matter through selected research papers. After basics of research are discussed and digested, students will be requested to make two separate small-scale researches and will be asked to present them in the classroom with audience. After in-class discussions, they will be asked to deliver their studies in written format. Discussion will include matters  related to research design, such as setting the research type, formulation of research questions, determining variables, methods, etc. ers of the university.

Tutorial Place

Classroom

Textbook

Research Methodology (C.R. Kothari), Others as per research topic

Other References

Websites, films, e-books and journals as per research topic

Homework & Projects

Two separate presentations on the assigned topics together with research reports.

Laboratory Work

--N/A

Computer Use

Office programs and other specific-purpose software as per the research topic

Other Activities

--

Assessment Criteria

Activities

Quantity

Effects on Grading, %

Attendance

Midterm

Quiz

Homework

Term Paper/Project/interim report

1

40

Laboratory Work

Practices

Tutorial

Seminar

Presentation and research report

Field Study

Final Exam (Presentation and written report)

1

60

TOTAL

100

Effects of Midterm on Grading, %

40

Effects of Final on Grading, %

60

TOTAL

100

Week

Topics

Course Outcomes

1

Meaning and Objectives of Research

I

2

Types of Research

II

3

Types of research

III

4

Research methods versus methodology

III,IV

5

Research process and criteria for quality research

IV

6

Defining a research question

IV,V

7

Techniques in formulating research question

IV,V

8

In-class presentation of the first assignment and discussions

I-V

9

Research design

VI

10

Different types of  research

II

11

Setting variables and setting scientific  base- Qualitative/quantitative

V-VII

12

Preparing sample research for discussion

VI, VII

13

Discussions on sample research papers

VI, VII

14

Individual presentations of  the second assignment and in class comments

VII

15

Delivery of individual presentations

VII

Program Outcomes

Level of Contribution

1

2

3

a

Developing and intensifying knowledge in the related program’s area, based upon the competency in the undergraduate level (sufficient knowledge) (knowledge).

X

b

Grasping the inter-disciplinary interaction related to one’s area (knowledge).

X

c

The ability to use the expert-level theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the area (skill).

X

d

Interpreting and forming new types of knowledge by combining the knowledge from the area and the knowledge from various other disciplines (skill).

X

e

Solving the problems faced in the area by making use of the research methods (skill).

X

f

The ability to carry out a specialistic study related to one’s area independently. (Competence to work independently and take responsibility).

X

g

Developing new strategic approaches to solve the unforeseen and complex problems arising in the practical processes of one’s area and coming up with solutions while taking responsibility (Competence to work independently and take responsibility).

X

h

Fulfilling the leader role in the environments where solutions are sought for the problems related to the area (Competence to work independently and take responsibility).

X

i

Assessing the specialistic knowledge and skill gained through the study with a critical view and directing one’s own learning process (Learning Competence).

X

j

Systematically transferring the current developments in the area and one’s own work to other groups in and out of the area; in written, oral and visual forms (Communication and Social Competency).

X

k

Ability to see and develop social relationships and the norms directing these relationships with a critical look and the ability to take action to change these when necessary. (Communication and Social Competency).

X

l

Using the computer software together with the information and communication technologies efficiently and according to the needs of the area (Communication and Social Competency).

X

m

Paying regard to social, scientific, cultural and ethical values during the collecting, interpreting, practicing and announcing processes of the area related data and the ability to teach these values to others (Area Specific Competency).

X

n

Developing strategy, policy and application plans concerning the subjects related to the area and the ability to evaluate the end results of these plans within the frame of quality processes (Area Specific Competency).

X

o

Using the knowledge and the skills for problem solving and/or application (which are processed within the area) in inter-disciplinary studies (Area Specific Competency).

X

p

In the programs with thesis, the ability to present one’s own work within the international environments orally, visually and in written forms (Area Specific Competency).

X

Course

Outcomes

I

II

III

IV

V

VI

Programme Outcomes

a

X

X

X

X

b

X

X

X

X

c

X

X

X

X

X

d

X

X

e

X

X

X

X

X

f

X

X

X

g

X

X

h

X

X

X

X

X

X

i

X

X

X

j

X

X

X

X

X

X

k

X

X

l

X

X

X

m

X

X

X

X

X