Academic Work and Research Methodology
Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten
6 CPWinterEN
Contents
The module will focus on the following contents: • Types and concepts of research • Characteristics of good research • Research ethics and intellectual property rights • Selection and identification of research topics • Research process and design • Literature review • Data collection • Data analysis • Writing research proposals • Writing scientific papers: defining title and keywords, writing an abstract, writing the introduction, writing materials and methods, writing results, writing the discussion (including conclusions), writing the reference list, checking citation of literature according to recognized standards, checking the paper for formal requirements.
Learning outcomes
The main objective of this module is to introduce students to the methods of academic work, with special emphasis on information acquisition and information presentation. Upon the completion of the module students will be able to: • Understand the principles of research, its terminology and methodologies. • Distinguish between different sources of information and adequately use them (text books, collections, periodicals, encyclopaedia, internet, etc.). • Respect ethical issues and intellectual property in research. • Formulate research objectives and develop research questions. • Identify principal references in the field of research and conduct an appropriate literature survey. • Collect and analyse data in an academic way. • Write a structured scientific publication according to scientific standards.
Assessment
Essay (maximum 15 pages, including illustrations, list of sources and appendices)
Literature (4)
- Day, R.A. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. 5th ed. Westport: Oryx Press, 1998.
- Hornby, A.S., Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. 7th ed. Oxford: Cornelsen/Oxford Univ. Press, 2005.
- Dawson, Catherine. Introduction to Research Methods. 4th ed. Oxford: How To Books Ltd., 2009.
- Marggraf-Turley, Richard. Writing Essays: A Guide for Students in English and the Humanities. New York: RoutledgeFalmer, 2000.
Remarks
In the case that teaching and evaluation methods cannot take place as previously established (due to Corona or similar situations), alternative teaching formats and assessment methods will be announced on the respective homepages of the respective chair, or on the moodle platform.
Source: BTU's module description · retrieved 18 Oct 2026Original