Course Title: Research Methods

Course Code: NaRM441 Class Year: Four

Course Credit; Cr.Hr/ECTS: 3(3+0) /5 Semester: I
Instructor/s Full Name: Samuel Erimyas (MSc.) and Eneyew Esubalew (MSc.)
Address: Building ------- Email: samuelerimyas@gmail.com
Office no.: 7 Telephone: --------
Course Description
Using real-life situations, this course is designed to introduce students to the basic skills of research
problem formulation and proposal preparation. Students will have an opportunity to develop these
skills further by designing and implementing a project of special personal interest on a problem related
to the environment. The course covers the following topics: Purpose of doing research; scientific and
other methods of conducting research; the research process: formulating research problems, data
collection procedures; data processing and analysis; report writing; different kinds of research designs
such as survey, participant observation, experimentation, and quasi-experimentation; consumption of
research results; ethics in research.
After the course, students will be able to:
• Describe what research is and explain the purpose of doing research
• Identify researchable problems in Environmental Sciences
• Explain the different types of research designs and their functions
• To understand what data collection is and explain the various types of data collection tools
• Distinguish between basic, applied, disciplinary, inter(multi) disciplinary researches
• Write research proposal and concept notes
1.INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH METHODS
1.1 Definition Research?
1.2 Sources of Knowledge
1.3 Purpose of Research and Ethics in Research
1.4 Types of Research
1.5 Research and Theory
1.6 The Scientific Approach
1.7 Stages of Research Process
2. FORMULATION OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
2.1 Selection of A General Topic
2.2 Literature Review and Exploratory Study
2.3 Specification of Objectives and Hypotheses
2.4 Concepts and Variables
2.5 Types of Variables
2.5.1 Dependent, independent, intervening, and extraneous variables
2.5.2 Attribute and active variables
2.5.3 Continuous and discrete variables
2.5.4 Qualitative and quantitative variables
2.6 Measurement
2.6.1 Nominal scale
 2.6.2 Ordinal scale
2.6.3 Interval scale
2.6.4 Ratio scale
3. SAMPLING
3.1 Population and Sample
3.2 Sampling Errors and Sample size
3.3 Probability Sampling
3.3.1 Simple random sampling
3.3.2 Systematic random sampling
3.3.3 Stratified random sampling
3.3.4 Cluster sampling
3.3.5 Multistage sampling
3.4 Non-probability sampling
3.4.1 Judgmental sampling
3.4.2 Purposive sampling
3.4.3 Snow ball sampling
3.4.4 Quota sampling
4. RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND REPORT WRITING
4.1 Structure/format for proposal writing
4.1.1 Definition of research proposal
4.1.2 Components of research proposal
4.2 General form of the main research report
4.2.1 Preliminary sections
4.2.2 Main body of the report
4.3 Reference and citations
4.3.1 Uses of citation
4.3.2 Major citation styles
4.3.3 End of text citation
4.3.4 In-text citation
4.3.5 Quotation in the text
4.3.6 Notes
4.3.7 Use of EndNote for citation and referencing
4.3.8 listing references
4.4 Data base and Literature retrieval
5. SELECTION OF STUDY DESIGN
5.1 What is research design
5.2 Basic elements of study design
5.3 Major types of study design and their relative functions
5.3.1 Cross-sectional, before and after, and longitudinal study design
5.3.2 Prospective and retrospective study design
5.3.3 Experimental, observational and quasi-experimental study design
5.4 Basic principles of experimental design
5.4.1 Replication/Experimental material-Exper. Unit
5.4.2 Randomization
 5.4.3 Statistical models
5.4.4 Source of variability
5.4.5 ANOVA
5.5 Overview of some experimental designs
5.5.1 CRD
5.5.2 RCBD/LSD/Split plots
5.5.3 Factorial experiment
6. DATA COLLECTION METHODS
6.1 Data and Information
6.2 Issues to consider when selecting data collection tool
6.3 Validity and reliability of data collection methods
6.4 Primary and secondary sources of data
6.5 Common types of data collection methods
5.4.1 Secondary or existing data
5.4.1 Experiments
5.4.2 Interviews
5.4.3 Questionnaire
5.4.4 Observation
6.6 Analysis and Interpretation of Data
6.6.1 Editing, coding, and tabulation
6.6.2 Statistical analysis: descriptive and inferential
6.6.3 The meanings and implications of results: why so and so what?
7. REGRESSION AND CORRELATION ANALYSIS
7.1 Correlation analysis
7.2 Linear regression model
7.2.1 Introduction to Regression
7.2.2 Simple linear regression and assumptions
7.2.3 Estimation of model parameters
6.2. 4 Inferences about the slope parameter 1
6.2.5 Multiple Regression
7.3 Nonlinear regression
7.4 Exercise with Minitab or SPSS
MODE OF DELIVERY
 Group and pair work
 Individual work
 Lecture
 Brainstorming
MODE OF ASSESSMENT
 Homework, Assignments: 10%
 Project reports, presentation: 30%
 Quizzes and test: 20%
 Final exam:40%
REFERENCES
1. Westland., J.(2006).The Project Management Life Cycle: A complete step-by-step methodology
for initiating, planning, executing, and closing a project successfully.
2. Dawson., C.(2002).Practical Research Methods: User-friendly guide to mastering research
techniques and projects
3. Kothari, C.R.(2004).Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques
4. Day, Robert A. (1998). How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper. 5 th ed. Cambridge University
Press.
5. Michael, W. Trosset. (2001). An Introduction to Statistical Inference and Data Analysis
6. Stoecker, Randy R. (2005). Research Methods for Community Change: A Project-Based
Approach. Sage Publications Ltd. UK
7. Kumar, R. (2014). Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. Sage
Publications Ltd. UK Devore J. L.(1995)Chapter XII & XIII
Course Policy
All students are expected to abide by the Senate legislation and the student's code of conduct of the
University throughout this course.
 Attendance: a student is required to attend all lectures, laboratory, and practical sessions as well as
fieldwork. For the situations where you fail to attend sessions, because of reasons beyond your
control, see the senate legislation of the University.
 Grading system: as per the undergraduate grading system of the senate legislation of the University
 Cell phone: cell phone must be turned off before entering the classroom.
 Academic dishonesty: the highest standards of intellectual honesty in all academic works are
expected. Intellectual dishonesties including fabrication, cheating, and plagiarism will not be
tolerated in the course and will be reported to concerned bodies for further actions.
Approval
_____________________________ _____________
Name of Instructor Signature

_____________________________ _____________
Name of Program Coordinator Signature