Bachelor’s dissertations improve in quality thanks to JOLO

Professor Filip Van Droogenbroeck of the Data Analytics Lab noticed that his students kept making the same mistakes in the research for their bachelor's and master's dissertations. Together with several colleagues, he therefore developed JOLO, an online learning pathway for research methods, which he will present at the Education Conference: "I can see that the quality of research papers has improved."

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What does JOLO actually stand for?
Filip Van Droogenbroeck: "JOLO stands for Jouw Online Leertraject Onderzoeksmethoden (Your Online Learning Pathway for Research Methods). It is an accessible and user-friendly platform on Canvas, with eleven modules that guide students through the key steps of research: from formulating a research question, designing surveys, conducting in-depth interviews, to the responsible use of AI in research."

Filip Van Droogenbroeck

"Everyone kept reinventing the wheel. That is why we decided to bring all that knowledge together in one online learning pathway"

In the past, we referred students to the research methods course or to VUB-wide initiatives such as First Aid for Research. But the former often remains quite theoretical, and the VUB-wide initiatives are not sufficiently tailored to the specific needs of social science research. Some lecturers, including myself, therefore developed our own guides with tips and tricks. Everyone was reinventing the wheel. That is how the idea emerged to bring together the knowledge of my colleagues in one online learning pathway. Together with colleagues from economics (Prof. Ilse Scheerlink) and the social sciences (Prof. Silvia Erzeel and Prof. Wendy Van den Broeck), I submitted and obtained a curriculum innovation project."

How does the learning platform specifically address the needs of students in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School?
"In social science research, there are a number of core principles that recur in every study. I already mentioned formulating a strong problem statement. Other modules focus on literature review, empirical research, ethical reflection, and the responsible use of generative AI. These core modules are relevant for all bachelor's and master's dissertations in social science research.
In addition, there are applied modules that highlight specific research methods: in-depth interviews, focus groups, content analysis, secondary data analysis, surveys, and comparative analysis."

What distinguishes the platform from a textbook?
"We did not want to create another theoretical textbook, but a practical tool with clear steps that students can follow. We really tried to put ourselves in their position. In each module, we show how to do something in practice, for example narrowing down a research topic. We build on our expertise as researchers and share how we ourselves approach a survey, in-depth interview or literature review step by step.
To avoid overwhelming students, we initially focus on the practical basics. For those who want to go deeper, there are additional resources. Where relevant, we use domain-specific examples from communication studies, business economics, political science and sociology. We also share insights from our own practice, and each module includes a FAQ with common mistakes and key points of attention."

What are the first findings?
"The platform was launched this academic year, both in Dutch and in English, and is supported across the entire faculty. Students are actively directed to it for their bachelor's and master's dissertations. Around one thousand students are currently using it. The metadata show that some spend hours on it. They find it useful and practical. There are still areas for improvement here and there. That is normal - a platform like this is never finished. We can still add modules. For example, we do not yet have a separate module on experiments. In the future, we might also make greater use of video clips. Young people are used to processing information through video."

"Referring students with initial questions to JOLO also reduces supervisors' workload"

It looks very hands-on. Are students not being guided too much?
"There will always be people who say things were better in the past, but I do not share that view. Students may have followed a theoretical course on research methods, but only when they have to set up their own research do they realise how complex it is. At that point, this is simply a helpful tool to refresh knowledge and provide a practical how-to. And yes, sometimes we go quite far in our support. The survey module includes templates for invitations and follow-up emails, which students can use straight away. That way, they too do not have to keep reinventing the wheel."

JOLO is intended for students and early-career researchers, but do supervisors also see the benefits?
"Absolutely. A full-time professor in economics supervises around 30 master's dissertations this academic year. In that case, it really helps to organise things efficiently. Being able to refer students with initial questions to JOLO reduces the workload. What I also notice myself, for example in bachelor's dissertations, is that the quality has improved. Surveys are more thoroughly developed this year. Students make more frequent use of operationalisation tables (a table showing how a concept is translated into concrete questions and measurable indicators, ed.), are more aware of the value of validated scales (scientifically tested sets of questions, ed.), send better invitations, and follow up responses more efficiently."

Could JOLO also be of interest to other faculties?
"We are already receiving enquiries from outside our faculty. If it proves useful for other faculties in its current form, they can use it via Canvas. A lecturer from the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, for example, was interested in adapting the modules to their own context. That is certainly possible. As long as the source is acknowledged, all faculties are free to use it."

Bio

Filip Van Droogenbroeck is a sociologist and professor affiliated with the Data Analytics Lab of the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Solvay Business School. His research focuses on the sociology of education, socio-political attitudes, compassionate communities, and the interaction between AI and the social sciences.

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