Research Techniques Syllabus
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Teaching UnitMethodological
Coefficient: 1 Credit: 4 |
Level: First Year
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Weekly time:
3h00 |
The number of Teaching Hours:
45h00 |
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This course is an introduction to research methodology that provides learners with basic concepts related to academic research.
Learning Objectives By the end of the course, students will be able to: · differentiate academic research from the mere data gathering · select an appropriate research topic · undertake academic research bearing in mind the literature gap · develop an aptitude as to the formulation of the research problem, the research questions, and the hypotheses
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References
An introduction to research and research methods. Available at: https://www.unrwa.org/sites/default/files/introduction-to-research-and-research-methods.pdf Bazeley, P. (2013). Qualitative data analysis: Practical strategies. New York, NY: SAGE. Best, J. W., & Kahn, J. V. (1986). Research in education (5thed). New Delhi: Prentice-Hall of India Pvt, Ltd.Available at: https://ww2.odu.edu/~jritz/attachments/reined.pdf Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques (2nded). New Age International Ltd, Publishers. Milliman, N. research methods the basics. Available at: https://edisciplinas.usp.br/pluginfile.php/2317618/mod_resource/content/1/BLOCO%202_Research%20Methods%20The%20Basics.pdf Research &consultation guidelines. Available at: http://www.kirklees.gov.uk/community/yoursay/questionnaires.pdf Vagner, K. W. (2007). Introduction to research methods.Available at: http://psychology.about.com/od/researchmethods/ss/ expdesintro.htm. Available at: https://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=14&n=13 |
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Course Content | ||||
First Semester | ||||
The research methodology course for first-year students comprises five themes stated below: 1.Academic Research o What is academic research? o Characteristics of academic Research o Types of academic research: basic/applied; non-experimental (historical, descriptive, correlational), experimental o Need behind research o Significance of research/motivation
2.Research Process (steps)
o Identification of the research problem/hypothesis o Designing the research framework o Review of the literature o Data collection o Data analysis o Conclusion
3.Topic Selection
o How to choose a research topic o Narrow/broad topics
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End of Semester I
First Examination |
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Second Semester | ||||
4.The Research Problem
o What is a research problem? o Types of research problems o The literature gap o The research variables o Formulation of the research problem (thesis statement) o The research question o Examples of Good and bad research questions
5.The Research Hypothesis
o What is the research hypothesis? o Types of hypotheses o Examples of Good and bad hypotheses
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End of Semester II
Second Examination |
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Assessment and Evaluation | ||||
Continuous Assessment (50%)
ü Two in-class assignments graded each upon 7 pts, and a grade for discipline (6 pts) ü Assignments should take into consideration the practical aspect, not the theoretical side ü Instruction and evaluation ought to target a vivid-like context |
Final Assessment(50%) |