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Research at FHWien der WKW

Bridging Courses Research Skills & Methods

City of Vienna Competence Team Master Propaedeutics - Bridging courses in research skills & methods

To facilitate students’ entry into the FHWien der WKW Master’s programs, the project includes the creation of e-learning courses in the context of research methodology.  Based on experiences gained during the pandemic, the project is developing new approaches to designing e-learning courses. The aim is to create learning opportunities that actively engage students and motivate them through modern technologies and continuous feedback.

Sponsor: City of Vienna MA23 – Economy, Labor and Statistics
Project period: 01.04.2024 to 31.03.2027
Project duration: 36 months

Gefördert von MA 23 Stadt Wien

Contact

Department of Communication
FH-Prof.in Mag.a Dr.in Ilona Pezenka

Head of Competence Team
City of Vienna Competence Team Master Propaedeutics - Bridge courses in Research Skills & Methods

Tel.: +43 690 40 476-110

Project Description

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Enhancement of entry competences of Master's students

Prior to the start of the first semester, students have the opportunity to refresh and expand their knowledge in the area of research methods. The e-learning courses are categorized into the following areas and consist of instructional videos, educational resources, practical exercises with solutions and quizzes with constructive feedback:

  1. Fundamentals (Scientific thinking; Working with scientific sources; Scientific writing)
  2. Qualitative research (The qualitative research process; Qualitative data collection methods; Qualitative analysis)
  3. Quantitative research (The quantitative research process; Understanding quantitative data; Quantitative data collection methods; Describing data (descriptive statistics); Testing hypotheses (inferential statistics))
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Learning analytics is used to analyse data from e-learning courses and continuously improve and develop content. Learners are supported by the latest technologies, such as AI tutors (chatbots).

Finally, students benefit from the flexibility to work independently, irrespective of time and place and from the individualization of learning paths. This also particularly supports part-time students. The ultimate goal is to increase learning accessibility and decrease drop-out rates.

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Support in writing master's thesis

During the process of writing their master’s thesis, students can access the content of the e-learning courses at any time to recap their knowledge or apply it to their research questions. The self-study modules promote independent and reflective learning and are supported by feedback systems in addition to AI tutors.

In addition, supervisors of Master’s theses are encouraged to engage with the learning content offered and to integrate it into their supervisory practice. To this end, further training and counselling sessions are offered to motivate supervisors to expand their methodological portfolio.

 

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Development of media pedagogical resources for diverse subject and knowledge areas

Based on this concept, guidelines for the creation of didactic resources are formulated, applicable not only for the topic of scientific research, but also to a range of different subjects and fields of knowledge.

One outcome of the project is the development of frameworks that will subsequently be utilized by other expert teams to design and standardize bridging courses for other subject areas leveraging the same pedagogical concept. The introduction and implementation of a new standard is an important task of the competence team.

Project Goals

Dissemination of knowledge and reflection on scientific approaches

The moderated e-learning courses aim to enhance the teaching quality by

  • Elevating students’ skills in academic research up to the required standard
  • Ensure that research method courses in the Master programs can focus on deepening methodological skills.
  • Improve the overall quality of Master’s theses

Within the process of writing their Master’s theses, students can access the research methods e-learning courses of the City of Vienna Competence Team Bridging courses in research skills & methods and recapitulate their knowledge and apply it to their research questions. The moderated e-learning courses guide students to construct and reflect on their own knowledge. They are further supported by a comprehensive feedback system based on learning analytics data.

Bridge Courses Research Skills & Methods

Fit for your thesis with interactive self-study courses

City of Vienna Competence Team “Master Propaedeutics – Bridging courses in research skills & methods” supports students on their way to a successful thesis with interactive e-learning courses that they can use flexibly and individually. The e-learning courses help students to review and deepen their existing knowledge of academic writing and apply it to a specific topic.

Current bridge course offerings (in German)

WISA – 1.1 Scientific Thinking

This course introduces you step by step to the importance of scientific principles, helps you distinguish between everyday knowledge and scientific knowledge, and provides you with a basic understanding of scientific theory.

WISA – 1.2 Working with Scientific Sources

In this course, you will find information and strategies for working with scientific sources. You will learn how to conduct targeted source research, check sources for scientific validity, and prepare them for further processing in a targeted manner.

WISA – 1.3 Scientific Writing

In this course, you will learn about the different phases of the writing process and how to develop a common thread in your scientific work. You will also learn how to argue and formulate scientifically.

WISA – 1.4 Presenting the State of Research

This chapter offers a compact introduction to the central forms of literature reviews. You will learn to distinguish between systematic reviews and meta-analyses of narrative and integrative approaches and to select the appropriate procedure for a specific question. You will also gain an overview of important scientific databases.

WISA – 2.1 The qualitative research process

This course introduces you to the planning and implementation of qualitative research projects. You will learn how to formulate problems and research Questions and develop a suitable research design.

WISA – 2.2 Qualitative data collection methods

This course provides an overview of important qualitative data collection methods (interviews, focus groups, and observation). You will learn how to select a data collection method that is suitable for your research question and how to implement it correctly.

WISA – 2.3 Qualitative evaluation methods

In this course, you will learn about different qualitative evaluation methods and how to apply them systematically to your data.

WISA – 3.1 The Quantitative Research Process

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to planning and conducting quantitative research projects. You will learn how to formulate problems, develop research questions and hypotheses and choose an appropriate research design.

WISA – 3.2 Understanding Quantitative Data

This course offers a practical introduction to the analysis of quantitative data. You will learn to distinguish between different types of data and to draw samples from a defined population.

WISA – 3.3 Quantitative survey methods

In this course, you will learn how to select a data collection method that is suitable for your research question and how to apply it correctly. It imparts theoretical and practical knowledge on surveys, quantitative content analysis (document analysis, sentiment analysis, and topic modeling), secondary data (data mining), and psychophysiological measurements.

WISA – 3.4 Describing data (descriptive statistics)

In this course, you will learn how to prepare and describe quantitative data. You will learn how to describe data using statistical measures and how to visualize it accordingly.

WISA – 3.5 Testing hypotheses (inference statistics)

This course provides a clear overview of various statistical tests and teaches you how to select the right one for your hypotheses. You will familiarize yourself with the basics of the most important tests, practice using them correctly, and learn how to interpret the results accurately.

Team

FH-Prof.in Mag.a Dr.in Ilona Pezenka

FH-Prof.in Mag.a Dr.in Ilona Pezenka

Head of Competence Team
City of Vienna Competence Team Master Propaedeutics - Bridge courses in Research Skills & Methods

Publications
Tel.: +43 690 40 476-110
Melanie Dejnega

Dr.in Melanie Dejnega

Teaching & Research Associate
City of Vienna Competence Team Master Propaedeutics - Bridge courses in Research Skills & Methods

Lecturer
Tel.: +43 690 40476 147
Larissa Neuburger

Larissa Neuburger, MA MA PhD

Teaching & Research Associate
City of Vienna Competence Team Master Propaedeutics - Bridge courses in Research Skills & Methods

Publications
Tel.: +43 690 40 476 133
Evelyn Fränzl

Dr.in Evelyn Fränzl MA MDes

Academic Expert & Lecturer
Research Skills & Methods

Teaching & Research Associate
City of Vienna Competence Team Master Propaedeutics – Bridge courses in Research Skills & Methods
Tel.: +43 690 40 476 149