Course Overview

Duration: 8 Weeks (2 Months)
Format: 2 sessions per week (Lectures + Practical Workshops)
Total Contact Hours: ~32–40 hours

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand fundamental research concepts, types, and approaches.
• Design qualitative and quantitative research studies.
• Apply data collection and analysis techniques.
• Critically review literature and develop sound research proposals.
• Write and present academic research effectively.

Course Outline

Week 1 – Introduction to Research

• Topics:
  • Meaning, Characteristics, and Importance of Research
  • Types of Research: Basic, Applied, Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods
  • Research Ethics and Integrity
• Activity: Identify research topics from participants’ fields of interest
• Reading: Creswell, Research Design (Ch. 1–2)

Week 2 – Research Process and Problem Identification

• Topics:
  • Steps in the Research Process
  • Identifying and Formulating a Research Problem
  • Setting Objectives, Research Questions, and Hypotheses
  • Variables and Conceptual Frameworks
• Workshop: Formulate research questions and hypotheses
• Assignment: Draft a preliminary research problem statement

Week 3 – Literature Review and Theoretical Framework

• Topics:
  • Purpose and Techniques of Literature Review
  • Sources of Literature (Journals, Databases, Books, Reports)
  • Developing a Conceptual or Theoretical Framework
  • Avoiding Plagiarism and Proper Referencing
• Activity: Conduct a mini literature review using Google Scholar or JSTOR
• Reading: Machi & McEvoy, The Literature Review: Six Steps to Success

Week 4 – Research Design and Sampling

• Topics:
  • Types of Research Designs (Descriptive, Correlational, Experimental, Case Study, Survey)
  • Sampling Techniques: Probability and Non-Probability Sampling
  • Determining Sample Size and Representativeness
• Workshop: Design a sampling strategy for a chosen topic
• Assignment: Submit research design outline

Week 5 – Data Collection Methods

• Topics:
  • Quantitative Methods: Surveys, Questionnaires, Experiments
  • Qualitative Methods: Interviews, Focus Groups, Observation, Document Analysis
  • Validity, Reliability, and Triangulation
• Exercise: Develop a questionnaire or interview guide
• Reading: Kvale, InterViews: An Introduction to Qualitative Research Interviewing

Week 6 – Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Topics:
  • Quantitative Data Analysis: Descriptive & Inferential Statistics
  • Qualitative Data Analysis: Coding, Thematic Analysis, Content Analysis
  • Using Tools: SPSS / Excel / NVivo (introductory overview)
  • Interpreting and Presenting Findings
• Workshop: Analyze sample data using Excel or SPSS demo
• Assignment: Mini data analysis exercise

Week 7 – Report Writing and Presentation

• Topics:
  • Structure of a Research Report / Thesis / Article
  • Academic Writing Style and Formatting (APA, MLA, Chicago)
  • Citing and Referencing with EndNote / Mendeley
  • Visual Presentation of Data (Tables, Graphs, Infographics)
• Activity: Draft a short report section (findings or discussion)

Week 8 – Research Proposal Development and Capstone Project

• Topics:
  • Elements of a Research Proposal
  • Reviewing and Refining Research Designs
  • Ethics Approval and Data Protection
  • Presenting Research Proposals Professionally
• Capstone Project:
  • Develop and present a complete 5-page research proposal including:
    • Title, Abstract, Problem Statement, Literature Review Summary, Methodology, and Expected Outcomes
  • Peer review and feedback