SOW-BKI123
Academic Skills - 2
Course infoSchedule
Course moduleSOW-BKI123
Credits (ECTS)3
CategoryB1 (First year bachelor)
Language of instructionEnglish
Offered byRadboud University; Faculty of Social Sciences; Artificial Intelligence;
Lecturer(s)
Coordinator
dr. L. Geerligs
Other course modules lecturer
Contactperson for the course
dr. L. Geerligs
Other course modules lecturer
Examiner
dr. F.A. Grootjen
Other course modules lecturer
Lecturer
prof. dr. M.V. Peelen
Other course modules lecturer
Academic year2020
Period
PER3  (25/01/2021 to 04/04/2021)
Starting block
PER3
Course mode
full-time
Remarks-
Registration using OSIRISYes
Course open to students from other facultiesNo
Pre-registrationNo
Waiting listNo
Placement procedure-
Aims
As a student in this course, you will learn to:
  • understand the basic notions of the scientific method, scientific integrity, experimental design and data analysis and how it is relevant for academic and professional settings, as well as daily life.
  • describe the different stages in in the design and the execution of empirical research, including the most important choices and strategies therein;
  • recognize and describe the different types of empirical research
  • think about the design of empirical research logically and critically, in particular regarding the consequences of design decisions on data analysis;
  • design a simple empirical research in a methodologically pure way, based on a restricted but adequate literature study and with a significant and concretely formulated research question;
  • report clearly and well-structured on this research design, both orally in the form of a presentation as in writing, in the form of a concise research proposal;
  • work together with other students in a group that designs a research and reports on it together. 
Content
The hallmark academic skill is conducting scientific research with the aim to help understand the world and separate fact from fiction. This skill valuable far beyond the academic context. For example, in professional context, one wants to determine whether something is most likely to be true or effective, before for example deciding to invest money. And also in daily life, we are confronted with many different sources of information and many claims, of which it can be hard to estimate trustworthiness; also here the scientific method, and the associated mindset, is critical.
 
During this course, we will explore the scientific mindset and method together. We cover what the scientific mindset entails, why experiments are important, what kind of experiments one can do, how one comes to research questions and hypotheses and how one designs a valid and valuable experiment. In addition, you get more insight in how the academic world is organized and functions.
 
The concrete end product of the course is a project proposal in the shape of a so-called registered report: a paper that covers the introduction, methods and expected results of a scientific study. The registered report of all students together will be bundled into a journal. In addition, you will report on your findings at a small scientific conference. 
 
Level
AI-B1
Test information
The exam covers the basic concepts underlying scientific research.
A sufficient grade for the registered report is required to pass the course. High quality registered reports can result in a maximum of 1 bonus point for the exam. 
The minimum grade for the exam, excluding the bonus points is 5.5 in order to pass the course. 

Please note that the information in the section 'Tests' below is incorrect but can't be changed for administrative reasons. Only the information
presented here is correct. More information can be found in the course guide on Brightspace. 
Specifics
Please sign up for any course at (https://portal.ru.nl/home), it is obligatory.

Students who are enrolled for a course are also provisionally registered for the exam. Pay attention: participation in the exam is only possible if all relevant conditions laid down nin the EER are met. Students who, after being checked are found not to meet these conditions, shall be excluded from the exam. In that case participation is possible on special grounds and with a permit written by the student counselor. 

Re-examination: register at (https://portal.ru.nl/home) until five days prior to the date of the exam.

We urge you to always read the course information on Brightspace. There are courses for which you are obliged to register for tutorials and/or practicals
Recommended materials
Book
The course uses the digital version of the book "Essentials of Research Design and Methodology" by Marczyk et al., first edition (2005)

Instructional modes
Lecture

Working group
Attendance MandatoryYes

Tests
Exam
Test weight50
Test typeExam
OpportunitiesBlock PER3, Block PER4

Proposal
Test weight50
Test typeReport
OpportunitiesBlock PER3