JAP250 Research Methods

Faculty of Arts
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Ing. Ivo Plšek, M.A., M. P. P., Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Jiří Matela, M.A., Ph.D.
Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Japanese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
each even Friday 12:00–15:40 B2.43, except Fri 6. 3. ; and Fri 6. 3. 8:00–11:40 B2.41
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
In this course students will learn how to write a scientific essay in the field of humanities and social sciences. The course is particularly geared towards Japan majors and their requirement to submit a final bachelor thesis in order to graduate.
Related to this, the course deals with the following themes:
a) research puzzle and scope of research
b) proper essay structure
c) localization of research sources
d) techniques of scientific writing
e) technique of presentation of research results
f) social and psychological aspects of scientific work (time management, self-motivation, writer's block, cooperation with thesis advisor).
This class avoids unnecessary theorizing. It is very practical and focuses on the most common problems students encounter during their bachelor thesis writing. Group discussions and group exercises are the main teaching methods.
Learning outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, students will be able to:
- work out suitable research questions and a research plan
- properly structure the research essay
- work with university e-databases and find sources pertaining to the study of Japan
- cite and paraphrase correctly
- apply a correct writing style
- effectively present research findings
Syllabus
  • 1. block
  • - formal and substantive requirements for the bachelor thesis in the Department of Japanese Studies, Masaryk University
  • - stylistics, citations, paraphrasing
  • 2. block
  • - designing of a "research question"
  • - bachelor thesis structure: introduction, main body, conclusion
  • 3. block
  • - electronic resources at MU and the work with primary and secondary literature
  • - group exercise: finding common mistakes in previously submitted theses
  • 4. block
  • - individual psychology and emotional hygiene during scientific/creative work
  • - choosing and working with a thesis supervisor
  • 5. block
  • - group exercise: in-class analysis and debate on submitted texts (introduction and first chapter)
  • 6. block
  • - ways for effective presentation
  • - presentation simulation and analysis
Literature
  • SZOTKOWSKÁ LACKOVÁ, Eva. Bakalářská a diplomová práce je hra, aneb, 10+5 tipů, jak napsat závěrečnou práci rychle, efektivně a bez stresu. Vydání první. Písek: Genius Institut, 2019, 119 stran. ISBN 9788027052936. info
  • ZADRAŽILOVÁ, Iva. Jak napsat a obhájit kvalitní diplomovou práci. 2013. URL info
  • FRANCÍREK, František. Absolventská práce : co, jak a proč připravit, zpracovat, napsat a zhodnotit (obhájit). Vyd. 1. Praha: Ingenio et Arti, 2012, 74, 49. ISBN 9788090528703. info
  • KŘOVÁČKOVÁ, Blanka and Martin SKUTIL. Jak napsat seminární a závěrečné práce ve společenských vědách. Vyd. 1. Hradec Králové: Gaudeamus, 2009, 31, xvii. ISBN 9788070418635. info
  • WILHELMOVÁ, Radka. Jak napsat bakalářskou práci. 2008. URL info
  • KUBÁTOVÁ, Helena and Dušan ŠIMEK. Od abstraktu do závěrečné práce : jak napsat diplomovou práci ve společenskovědních a humanitních oborech : praktická příručka. 4., přeprac. vyd. Olomouc: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, 2007, 90 s. ISBN 9788024415895. info
  • ČMEJRKOVÁ, Světla, František DANEŠ and Jindra SVĚTLÁ. Jak napsat odborný text. Vydání první. Praha: Leda, 1999, 255 stran. ISBN 8085927691. info
  • ECO, Umberto and Ivan SEIDL. Jak napsat diplomovou práci. Olomouc: Votobia, 1997, 271 s. ISBN 80-7198-173-7. info
  • SLANÝ, Antonín and Jaroslav NEKUDA. Jak /ne/napsat závěrečnou práci (How to write/ not to write a diploma thesis). Brno: Masarykova univerzita Brno, 1993, 86 pp. ISBN 80-210-0727-3. info
Teaching methods
This class is conducted in a form of a seminar. It requires active participation. Most of the class time will be dedicated to group exercises and debates. The instructor will supplement this with shorter lectures when necessary.
Assessment methods
The threshold for passing this course is 70% and more.
The grade consists of:
A) Regular fulfillment of assigned tasks (70%). This includes the submission of introduction and the first chapter of a practice bachelor thesis or a seminar paper; feedback provision to submitted texts by fellow students and a final presentation.
B) Active class attendance (30%). Attendance is mandatory.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught each semester.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: konzultace s vedoucí/m práce.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2021, Spring 2022.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2020, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/spring2020/JAP250