ES 461 – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE

Background and Rationale

Research methodology describes the process used to collect and analyse data for the
purpose of understanding phenomena. This can then make a basis upon which to make
decisions in order to improve practice/policy. Note that there is a difference between
‘methodology’ and ‘methods’. Methodology is a more holistic concept that covers what
is done, why and how, throughout the entire research journey. On the other hand,
‘methods’ is narrower and basically describes the strategies one uses to collect data
during fieldwork and analyse the data for interpretation purposes. Therefore, whereas
research methodology may include philosophical underpinnings of research (e.g.
positivism, interpretivism), research ‘methods’ would describe only the tools one uses to
collect data - such as interviews and observations; and tools one uses to analyse the
data – such as qualitative data analysis software (NVivo) and quantitative data analysis
software (SPSS). In order for research findings to have any effect on the wider community,
these need to be published, preferably in a reputable journal or book. This can only be
possible if the research findings are reported in an academically acceptable manner –
hence, academic reporting.

Learning Outcomes/ Objectives

This is a half-course, and it is designed to help students get started with their Bachelor of
Science Research Project. This will entail acquiring various skills including the following:
 practical skills - such as academic writing clear, and presenting research findings;
 research skills - such as methods of finding relevant references/materials;
 conceptual skills - such as defining hypotheses, organising your thoughts into a
coherent argument, and making correct inferences from literature;
 understand research ethics;
 understand the research process;
 be familiar with the difference between qualitative and quantitative research;
 know the characteristics of a good piece of research, i.e. originality,
reproducibility, and placed within the context of existing knowledge;
 know the conventional structure of a research report (your thesis);
 be able to recognise a good thesis, i.e. evaluate it according to the defined
criteria;
 clearly state what is and is not scientific fraud and plagiarism;
 be able to set up your own good research proposal, including selecting research
topic and associated problems; role of literature review in this step; and
 be able to translate problems into research questions and operational hypothesis.

Course content

1.0 Understating Research

Meaning of Research
Nature of research
Purpose and/ or reasons for doing research

2.0 The Research Process

Quantitative
Qualitative

1
3.0 Research Design

What is research design?

Importance of research design
Types of research design
Selecting a study design
Main components of research design
 Philosophical/ epistemological underpinnings
 Ethics in Research
 Data collection methods/instruments
 Sampling
 Data analysis and presentation

4.0 Research Data Collection Methods/ Instruments

Factors influencing choice of methods

Various methods
 Qualitative
 Quantitative

5.0 Research Data Analysis

Quantitative methods
 Statistical Analysis
 Software (SPSS, Excel, and others)
Qualitative methods
 Content Analysis
 Discourse Analysis
 Thematic Analysis
 Software (Nvivo)

6.0 Formulating and Writing Research proposal– development and content

Literature search and review

Its role in the research process
Theoretical and conceptual frameworks
Formulating a research problem
Identifying variables
Constructing hypotheses

7.0 Writing a research report/thesis

Being critical in your reporting/academic writing

Referencing (Harvard style)
The dissertation typology – a glance at the layout of a thesis

Assessment

40% Continuous Assessment (CA) comprising at least one test and one assignment

60% Sectional Examination (SE)

Prescribed Textbook

1. Bryman, Alan 2016 Social Research Methods, 5th Edition. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
2. Christensen, Larry B., R. Burke Johnson, and Lisa A. Turner 2014 Research Methods,
Design, and Analysis, 12th Edition. New Jersey, USA: Pearson Education.
3. Creswell, John W. and J. David Creswell. 2018 Research Design: Qualitative,
Quantitative, and Mixed-Methods, 5th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications.
4. Leavy, Patricia 2017 Research Design: Quantitative, Qualitative, Mixed Methods, Arts-
Based, and Community-Based Participatory Research Approaches. London: The
Guilford Press.
5. Miles, M.B., A.M. Huberman, and J. Saldana. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A
Methods Sourcebook, 3rd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications
6. Remler, Dahlia K. and Gregg G. Van Ryzin 2015 Research Methods in Practice:
Strategies for Description and Causation, 2nd Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE
Publications.
7. Yin, Robert K. 2018 Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods, 6th
Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

Recommended Textbooks

1. Bell, Emma; Alan Bryman, and Bill Harley 2019 Business Research Methods, 5th Edition.
Oxford: Oxford University Press.

2. Bernard, H. Russell 2000 Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative

Approaches. London: SAGE Publications.

3. Bryman, Alan 1988 Quantity and Quality in Social Research. London: Routledge.

4. Bryman, Alan 2004 Research Methods and Organization Studies. London and New
York: Routledge.

5. Bryman, Alan 2011 Quantitative Data Analysis with IBM SPSS 17, 18 & 19: A Guide for
Social Scientists. London: Routledge.

6. Bulmer, M. and Warwick, D. P. (Eds.) 1993 Social Research in Developing Countries:

Surveys and Censuses in the Third World. London: UCL Press.

7. Corbin, J. and Strauss, A. 2008 Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and

Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory, 3rd Edition. London: SAGE Publications.

8. Creswell, John W. 2018 Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research, 3rd
Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA. SAGE Publications.

9. Creswell, John W. 2018 Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing among
Five Approaches, 4th Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA. SAGE Publications.

10. Glaser, B. G. and Strauss, A. L. 1967 The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for
Qualitative Research. New York: Aldine de Gruyter.
11. Henn, M., Weinstein, M. and Foard, N. 2006 A Short Introduction to Social Research.
London: SAGE Publications

12. Hesse-Biber, Sharlene N. 2017 The Practice of Qualitative Research: Engaging

Students in the Research Process: Engaging Students in the Research Process, 3rd
Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

13. Hughes, J. A. and Sharrock, W. 1997 The Philosophy of Social Research, 3rd Edition.
London: Wesley Longman.

14. Maxwell, Joseph A. 2013 Qualitative Research Design: An Interactive Approach, 3rd
Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

15. May, T. 2001 Social Research: Issues, Methods and Process, 3rd Edition. Buckingham:
Open University Press.

16. Neuman, W. L., & Neuman, W. L. 2013. Social Research Methods: Qualitative and
Quantitative Approaches, 7th Edition. London: Pearson Education

17. Patton, Michael Quinn 2015 Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods: Integrating
Theory and Practice, 4th Edition. London: SAGE Publications.

18. Schutt, R. K 2012 Investigating the Social World, 7th Edition. Thousand Oaks: SAGE
Publications.

19. Schwartz-Shea, Peregrine and Dvora Yanow 2012 Interpretive Research Design:
Concepts and Processes. London and New York: Routledge.

20. Yin, R. K. 2009 Case study research: Design and Methods, 4th Edition. London: SAGE
Publications.