| Course Name | Year | Term | Period | Faculty / Graduate School | All Instructors | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50711:[2025 Spring]Policy Science Research Seminar 1 (H) § 50712:Introduction to On-site Research 1 (H) | 2025 | Spring | Mon4-5 | College Of Policy Science | KANEGAE HIDEHIKO | 2 |
Campus
OIC/OIC
Class Venue
AS463/AS463
Language
Japanese
Course Outline and Method
This small-group seminar course is for students in their second semester who developed an awareness of specific topics through Introduction to Academic Research in their first semester. Based on the awareness above, each student will belong to a project falling under one of the following three disciplines: multi-level governance, regional economy and development, and sustainable urban policy. Each research group (project) will comprise six to thirteen members, choosing a research theme and writing a report together.
This course aims to train students to gain skills described in the process below. It shares the above goal with Introduction to On-site Research 2 offered in the fall semester.
1. In principle, students will work in the same research group year-round in both this course and Introduction to On-site Research 2 offered in the fall semester. Students will conduct research on the group theme in an effective, planned way and based on a consensus built among group members.
2. Students will share knowledge relevant to the theme among group members by studying materials and other means.
3. Students will undertake fieldwork if possible and necessary, and learn the basics and etiquette of fieldwork such as the following firsthand: how to determine and contact research subjects; how to conduct interviews and other types of research while following etiquette; how to manage and compile collected data; and how to send a report and extend gratitude to the subjects following the fieldwork.
4. Students will write their report based on statistics and databases, statistical data analysis, and hypothesis testing, depending on the theme.
5. Students will summarize the outcome of the group work into their report by discussing with other group members and keeping structure and expressions in mind.
The above process provides an example and may differ from that of each group in focuses and structure.
Students will submit the Project Report I showing the project progress at the end of the semester and may be required to give a presentation as necessary.
In this course, absences and tardiness will be handled as follows.
1 If you are absent four or more times (four classes) in one semester, you will receive a grade of “F”.
2 About tardiness
- If you enter the classroom within 20 minutes of the start of class, you will be considered "late."
- If you enter the classroom more than 20 minutes after the start of class, you will be considered "absence."
- If you are "late" twice, it will be considered one "absence."
[Important Methods for important team-based research exercises]
For Thailand-project members:
Although the team formation and theme-setting period are weekly, subsequent teamwork includes searching for articles on similar themes and reading these articles in rotation, with team members taking turns to read, present, question, and discuss them; identifying the assumed social problem; selecting five representative keywords; formulating the research questions (Research Questions: RQs) and preparing tentative answers for each RQ (Research Hypotheses: Hypotheses); formulating the outputs of the current research (Research Objectives: ROs) and preparing the research questions (Hypotheses). Research Question: RQs) and prepare a tentative answer (Research Hypothesis: Hypotheses) for each RQ, the output of this research (Research Objective: RO), the utility of this research after solving the problem (Social Meaning and Contribution, Public Policy Implications), the selection of appropriate research targets (at least two are required for case studies, as they must always be compared), and a plan of action and alternative plans for fieldwork on the research targets (formulation of questions to be checked derived from the RQs and Hypos, and identification and contact of research targets). Developing a research plan is an important part of the team's work in the spring semester for this research study.
Team members also take turns to keep weekly minutes notes (date, name of recorder/sender, record of discussions and work done during the week, names of members present)
[Required attendance requirements and evaluation through written reports].
Full attendance is a requirement for credit except for reasons such as illness, injury, major natural disasters, or viral or bacterial pandemics. Tardiness and absence will result not only in a credit grade of F but also may cause an " F" grade. Please pay attention to your schedule and make sure you aim to attend all classes. The School of Policy and Science does not apply to public absence notification. Attendance is taken using a card reader, so bring your student ID card to every class. The student card is touched at the beginning and end of class.
In July, it is essential to submit the Project report by the spring semester team (with a word count obligation for each team member), mainly a research plan.
[Field research required during the summer holiday].
During the summer break in August/September, the team must also conduct a main team field study (domestic only) according to the questions prepared by the team members and scheduled appointments. Preliminary surveys and other activities prior to the main survey are also available on Monday afternoons during the main lecture hours during the spring semester. Both preliminary, preliminary, and main surveys that take place off-campus require accident insurance for the student's regular off-campus course, so you must always submit a survey visit form to the faculty in advance (at least one week in advance) for the stipulated accident insurance coverage. This covers a wide range of expenses, including medical treatment for traffic accidents and injuries and compensation for damage to facilities and goods on the visit.
[Schedule for autumn semester].
October: compilation and submission of finalized team themes and posters.
November: Presentation at poster session and differentiation meeting
December: Preparation of final report
January next year: Final in-class presentation
This course aims to train students to gain skills described in the process below. It shares the above goal with Introduction to On-site Research 2 offered in the fall semester.
1. In principle, students will work in the same research group year-round in both this course and Introduction to On-site Research 2 offered in the fall semester. Students will conduct research on the group theme in an effective, planned way and based on a consensus built among group members.
2. Students will share knowledge relevant to the theme among group members by studying materials and other means.
3. Students will undertake fieldwork if possible and necessary, and learn the basics and etiquette of fieldwork such as the following firsthand: how to determine and contact research subjects; how to conduct interviews and other types of research while following etiquette; how to manage and compile collected data; and how to send a report and extend gratitude to the subjects following the fieldwork.
4. Students will write their report based on statistics and databases, statistical data analysis, and hypothesis testing, depending on the theme.
5. Students will summarize the outcome of the group work into their report by discussing with other group members and keeping structure and expressions in mind.
The above process provides an example and may differ from that of each group in focuses and structure.
Students will submit the Project Report I showing the project progress at the end of the semester and may be required to give a presentation as necessary.
In this course, absences and tardiness will be handled as follows.
1 If you are absent four or more times (four classes) in one semester, you will receive a grade of “F”.
2 About tardiness
- If you enter the classroom within 20 minutes of the start of class, you will be considered "late."
- If you enter the classroom more than 20 minutes after the start of class, you will be considered "absence."
- If you are "late" twice, it will be considered one "absence."
[Important Methods for important team-based research exercises]
For Thailand-project members:
Although the team formation and theme-setting period are weekly, subsequent teamwork includes searching for articles on similar themes and reading these articles in rotation, with team members taking turns to read, present, question, and discuss them; identifying the assumed social problem; selecting five representative keywords; formulating the research questions (Research Questions: RQs) and preparing tentative answers for each RQ (Research Hypotheses: Hypotheses); formulating the outputs of the current research (Research Objectives: ROs) and preparing the research questions (Hypotheses). Research Question: RQs) and prepare a tentative answer (Research Hypothesis: Hypotheses) for each RQ, the output of this research (Research Objective: RO), the utility of this research after solving the problem (Social Meaning and Contribution, Public Policy Implications), the selection of appropriate research targets (at least two are required for case studies, as they must always be compared), and a plan of action and alternative plans for fieldwork on the research targets (formulation of questions to be checked derived from the RQs and Hypos, and identification and contact of research targets). Developing a research plan is an important part of the team's work in the spring semester for this research study.
Team members also take turns to keep weekly minutes notes (date, name of recorder/sender, record of discussions and work done during the week, names of members present)
[Required attendance requirements and evaluation through written reports].
Full attendance is a requirement for credit except for reasons such as illness, injury, major natural disasters, or viral or bacterial pandemics. Tardiness and absence will result not only in a credit grade of F but also may cause an " F" grade. Please pay attention to your schedule and make sure you aim to attend all classes. The School of Policy and Science does not apply to public absence notification. Attendance is taken using a card reader, so bring your student ID card to every class. The student card is touched at the beginning and end of class.
In July, it is essential to submit the Project report by the spring semester team (with a word count obligation for each team member), mainly a research plan.
[Field research required during the summer holiday].
During the summer break in August/September, the team must also conduct a main team field study (domestic only) according to the questions prepared by the team members and scheduled appointments. Preliminary surveys and other activities prior to the main survey are also available on Monday afternoons during the main lecture hours during the spring semester. Both preliminary, preliminary, and main surveys that take place off-campus require accident insurance for the student's regular off-campus course, so you must always submit a survey visit form to the faculty in advance (at least one week in advance) for the stipulated accident insurance coverage. This covers a wide range of expenses, including medical treatment for traffic accidents and injuries and compensation for damage to facilities and goods on the visit.
[Schedule for autumn semester].
October: compilation and submission of finalized team themes and posters.
November: Presentation at poster session and differentiation meeting
December: Preparation of final report
January next year: Final in-class presentation
Student Attainment Objectives
Learn skills in defining problems and creating rational solutions to them.
Recommended Preparatory Course
Introduction to Academic Research
Course Schedule
| Lecture/Instructor（When there are multiple instructors) | Theme |
|---|---|
| Keyword, References and Supplementary Information | |
| 1~14 |
Theme
|
【+R-Jugyo】Provided as VOD format. Refer to the Manaba+R for further details. |
Class Format
14 classes on Face to Face basis
Recommendations for Private Study
Students should understand that this course focuses on group work conducted outside of classes, and that classes take place only for instructions, feedbacks, discussions, and progress reports to facilitate the group work. Work on your project tasks outside of classes. You can do so with other course students on campus during “sub-seminar hours”, the 4th and 5th periods on Mondays with no classes.
Grade Evaluation Method
| Kind | Percentage | Grading Criteria etc. |
|---|---|---|
| Final Examination (Written) | 0 | |
| Report Examination (A report to be submitted by the unified deadline) |
0 | |
| Exams and/or Reports other than those stated above, and Continuous Assessment (Evaluation of Everyday Performance in Class) |
100 | Project Report I, class participation, self-study, group work, and fieldwork. |
Grade Evaluation Method （Note）
Advice to Students on Study and Research Methods
Read thoroughly the " Introduction to On-site Research 1 and 2 – Course Handbook " to prepare for classes. Reading reports from the previous year will help you prepare a presentation and a project report.
Textbooks
Textbooks （Frequency of Use, Note）
Reference Books
Reference Books （Frequency of Use, Note）
Introduction to On-site Research 1 and 2 – Course Handbook (manaba+R＞College of Policy Science Students Page > Seminars and Seminar-related Courses ＞CRPS-Onsite Research Handbook)
Web Pages for Reference
How to Communicate with the Instructor In and Out of Class(Including Instructor Contact Information)
Learning Management System （manaba+R）,Talk with Students
Other Comments
【科目ナンバリング・カリキュラムマップはこちらから/Click here to see the Curriculum-Map and Course-Numbering】
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/
URL:https://secure.ritsumei.ac.jp/students/pathways-future/course/curriculum.html/