People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Batna 2 University
Faculty of Foreign Languages
Department of English

Third Year Research Techniques Course Syllabus

Instructor: Dr. Derouag Mounira

E-mail: m.derouag@univ-batna2.dz
Office: 09

I. Course Description:

Research Techniques is a course which introduces the essentials of the world of

scientific educational investigation. Third year students at this department have been dealt with

some skills and techniques of how to approach their projects at the university level, such as

selecting topics, managing time, taking notes, working in groups, and presenting their works etc.

However, during their previous two years they have not been either theoretically or practically

introduced directly to the fundamentals of a scientific educational research project and the skills

that are required to accomplish one. Therefore, this course is going to prepare them for the

graduate level and future academic life (master degree and others) as much of their assignments

will depend on mastering the essential skills of collecting data based on different data

collection methods, constructing research tools, analysing both qualitative and quantitative

data, and presenting the findings. The teaching method is activity-based through classroom

workshops. All teaching materials are to be shared with the students via the teacher's space in the

Moodle platform.

II .Course Objectives

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By the end of this course students will be able to:

1. Develop basic knowledge of educational research methodology

2. Identify researchable project topics

3. Critically choose and read appropriate literature

4. Select an appropriate research design

5. Write a research proposal and conduct a simple research project.

6. Present the findings in public (in class)

III .Requirements and evaluation

Research Techniques is a TD + Exam course.

Semester One Quiz: the requirements are as follows:

1. Classroom and home activities

2. Writing a simplified research proposal ( introduction+ literature review)

Semester Two Quiz: the requirements are as follows

1. Classroom and home activities

2. Designing a questionnaire and an interview

3. Writing a small research project

IV. Course Content

Chapter One: Choosing a Research Project in Academia

1. Introduction to educational research

 Meaning of research (academic research)

 The difference between: methodology, methods, and techniques

 Types of research methods (broad classifications)

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  Stages of the research process

 Follow up activities

2. Selecting a Problem and Identifying Variables

 Identifying a problem area and selecting a topic (Sources of the problem)
 Classroom Research Problems
 Learning about variables and their types
 Considering research questions
 Writing a statement of the problem
 Follow up activities
3. Developing Research Objectives and Formulating Hypothesis (es)
 Determining research objectives.
 Arriving at hypothesis(es)
 Follow up activities
4. Reading and Reviewing Related Literature
 Meaning of Review of Literature
 Objectives of Review of Literature
 Sources of Literature
 Reporting the review of Literature (Quoting/ Paraphrasing/ Summarizing)
 Structuring the review of Literature
 Follow-up activities
5. Preparing a Research Proposal
 The major sections of a research proposal
 A sample research proposal
 Follow -up activities
Chapter Two: Designing an Undergraduate Final year project

1. Selecting an Appropriate Research Design

 Research design

 Selecting the appropriate method (quantitative, qualitative, mixed methods)

 Learning about sampling techniques

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  Constructing an instrument for data collection (questionnaire, observation,
interview, focus groups, etc.)
 Data analysis and discussion
 Follow-up activities
2. Writing up a research project
 Elements of a research project
 General introduction to academic writing
 Avoiding plagiarism
 Styles of Academic writing
a. The APA style
b. The MLA style
V. References
1. Beiske, B. (2003). Research methods: Uses and limitations of questionnaire, interviews,
and case studies. Retrieved (May 7, 2010) from www.atpas.com/surveys.
2. Biggam, J. (2008). Succeeding with your master's dissertation: A step-by-step handbook.
Berkshire, England: Open University Press.
3. Cohen, L. Lawrence, M., & Morrison, K. (2005). Research methods in education (5th
edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
4. Dornyei, A. (2007). Research methods in applied linguistics. Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
5. George Thomas, C. (2021). Research Methodology and Scientific Writing (2ed.). ANE
Books, Springer.
6. Jackson, S.L. (2009). Research methods and statistics: A critical thinking approach.
( 3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
7. Kothari, C.R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. (2nd rev. ed.).
New Age International (P) Ltd, Publishers.
8. Kumar, R. (2011). Research methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners (3rd
edition). London, UK: TJ International Ltd, Padstow, Corwall.
9. Singh, Y. K. (2006). Fundamental of research methodology and statistics. New Delhi.
New International (P) Limited, Publishers.
10. Wallinman, N. (2006). Your Research Project: A step-by-step guide for the first-time
researcher. London: Sage Publications.

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