The purpose of the seminar is to introduce students to the most important conceptual approaches of research as well as to explore and formulate the theoretical framework for the analysis of the topic that is examined in the context of their Postgraduate Dissertation.

Emphasis is also given to the basic methodological approach and the use of the most appropriate – depending on the central question considered – research methods and tools (quantitative and / or qualitative) to carry out their research.

The main objective of the seminar is to support the students to use rationally alternative research methods when preparing their dissertation.

The course aims:

• to proven knowledge and understanding about the design of scientific research, methodology and research methods. Developing the knowledge and understanding sub-research objects offers at the same time the opportunity to expand their scientific horizons.
• To acquire knowledge about the use of different statistical techniques and methods.
• to obtain, by systematically applying the relevant methods, the necessary capabilities to adapt to actual research processes especially as regards search, treatment and interpretation of reliable information. At the end of the course, students will be able to design and carry out, in real terms, a small-scale as well as a large-scale scientific research.
• to develop their ability to critically analyze, evaluate and synthesize complex and multi-dimensional concepts
• to promote the progress of the knowledge society and generating new research ideas
• to promote free, creative and inductive thinking.

The course is organized according to the following topics:

1. The logical steps for conducting scientific research
2. Selection of appropriate information / data and consequently of methods and tools of analysis.
3. Conducting research focusing on specialized and complex issues requires understanding and familiarity with appropriate Research Methods.

The seminar consists of 5 lectures covering the following topics:

1st Lecture: Introduction to the Character of Scientific Research – Design and planning of research phases – Defining the concept of methodological approach – Presentation of the structure of a scientific work – Reference to examples and their analysis.

Lecture 2: Specific analysis of the sections and Chapters of a Dissertation – Detailed Presentation of the Theoretical Framework of a Scientific study – How to Review Literature – Articles – how to combine views, positions and different approaches – How to Write the section relative to “previous Studies” – What do research hypotheses mean and how do they emerge.

Lecture 3: Presentation and Analysis of the Methodological Framework of a Scientific Work – Formulation of Research Questions and Objective of the Work – Quantitative and Qualitative Approach during the Research – Primary and Secondary Data – Qualitative Methodological Approaches – Case Studies – Case Studies – periodic surveys – comparative analysis and analysis of content.

Lecture 4: Quantitative Analysis with reference to specific examples – Examples relative to the analysis of primary and secondary data – Presentation of basics concepts of Statistical Analysis – – Student Participation using Specific Case Studies.

Lecture 5: Discussion on specific issues of scientific dissertations – Review of main questions presented in the previous lectures – Presentation of Synthetic Methodological Approaches.

• • Δημητρόπουλος, Ε. (2009) ‘Εισαγωγή στην Μεθοδολογία της Επιστημονικής Έρευνας’, 3η έκδοση, Εκδ. ΕΛΛΗΝ, Αθήνα.
• • Ζαφειρόπουλος Κ., (2015), Πώς γίνεται μια επιστημονική εργασία; Εκδόσεις Κριτική, Αθήνα
• • Καλτσούνη, Ν-Χ. (2006) ‘Μεθοδολογία Εμπειρικής Έρευνας στις Κοινωνικές Επιστήμες΄, Gutenberg, Αθήνα
• • Κυριαζόπουλος Π., Σαμαντά Ε., (2011), Μεθοδολογία Έρευνας Εκπόνησης Διπλωματικών Εργασιών, Εκδόσεις Σύγχρονη Εκδοτική, Αθήνα. Σταθακόπουλος, Β. (2005) ‘Μέθοδοι Έρευνας Αγοράς’, Εκδ. Αθ. ΣΤΑΜΟΥΛΗ, Αθήνα
• • Saunders, M. Lewis, P., and Thornhill, A. (2014) ‘Μέθοδοι έρευνας στις επιχειρήσεις και την οικονομία’, Εκδ. ΔΙΣΙΓΜΑ, Αθήνα