BCT3210 Research Methods

The course will focus on the fundamental skills required to assess data generated and collected. It will provide a process for applying the basic steps required in sorting, organizing, summarizing and describing variables as well as testing and measuring different sorts of linkages and associations between and among variables. Additionally, the course will analyze experimental designs, which are most effectively utilized in confirmatory research studies where the subject under investigation is well formulated, a theoretical paradigm exists to guide the research and testable hypotheses can be developed. These designs attempt to establish causal relationships between interventions and outcomes. The course will also investigate and interpret surveys, which are research designs used to assess and quantify the predominance of problems and needs within the community or client populations/cohorts, utilization of patterns of service delivery and consumer satisfaction. Measurement, sampling and statistical techniques relevant to both surveys and experimental design will be addressed. In addition to covering ethical protocol in research, the course will investigate the interpretation of results, the writing up of findings and effective communication of data.

Course objectives

• Identify, explain, and apply the basic concepts of research, such as variables, operationalization, sampling, reliability, and validity.
• Recognize the ethical issues involved in research, and practice ethical research standards.
• Identify and explain the difference between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research and what types of research questions can be answered with each method.
• Use theory and previous research to create research questions and hypotheses and to identify and analyze the appropriate method and variables needed for research questions.
• Use a variety of research methods through hands-on experience.
• Construct a coherent research proposal that includes an abstract, introduction, literature review, research questions, ethical considerations, and methodology.

Learning Outcomes
By end of the course, the student should be able to: 

• Understand different types of research, research design and methodology
• To identify and describe researchable ideas, projects and themes
• To design and specify methods for carrying out a scientific research and demonstrate possession of skills and attitudes to conduct such research
• To be able to analyze data using scientific methodologies
• To present research results in a systematic and objective way