EDU 321 – Research Methods and Projects handouts

  EDU 321 – Research Methods and Projects  

Exploring Methodologies, Data Analysis, and Effective Research Communication  

Learning Objectives  

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

1. Distinguish between types of research (e.g., applied, basic, exploratory, descriptive).  

2. Apply qualitative and quantitative methodologies to real-world problems.  

3. Conduct systematic literature reviews and synthesize findings.  

4. Design data collection tools and analyze data using appropriate techniques.  

5. Write structured research proposals and reports with proper citation practices.  

Course Outline  

 Introduction to Research

- Definitions: What is research?  

- Types of Research: Applied vs. basic, exploratory vs. descriptive, experimental vs. observational.  

- Ethics in Research: Informed consent, confidentiality, and avoiding bias.  

 Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research  

- Qualitative: Focus groups, case studies, ethnography.  

- Quantitative: Surveys, experiments, statistical analysis.  

- Mixed Methods: Combining approaches for comprehensive insights.  

 The Research Process & Literature Review

- Steps in Research: Problem identification, hypothesis formulation, design, execution.  

- Conducting a Literature Review: Sourcing credible databases (e.g., JSTOR, PubMed), synthesizing findings.  

Data Collection Methods (Qualitative)

- Tools: Interviews, observations, focus groups.  

- Sampling Techniques: Purposive, snowball, and convenience sampling.  

 Data Collection Methods (Quantitative)

- Tools: Questionnaires, experiments, structured observations.  

- Sampling: Random, stratified, cluster sampling.  

 Organizing Data  

- Qualitative: Coding, thematic categorization, software (e.g., NVivo).  

- Quantitative: Data entry, cleaning, and tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS).  

 Analyzing Data

- Qualitative: Thematic analysis, content analysis.  

- Quantitative: Descriptive/inferential statistics (mean, regression, t-tests).  

Writing Research Proposals

- Structure: Title, introduction, objectives, methodology, timeline, references.  

- Tips: Clarity, feasibility, and aligning methods with research questions.  

 Writing Research Reports  

- Sections: Abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion.  

- Visuals: Charts, graphs, and tables for effective data presentation.  

 Bibliography Techniques  

- Citation Styles: APA, MLA, Chicago.  

- Tools: Zotero, Mendeley, EndNote.  

- Avoiding Plagiarism: Paraphrasing, quoting, and referencing.  

Workshops  

- Peer review of proposals.  

- Data analysis practice sessions.  

Student Presentations

- Presenting research proposals/reports.  

- Feedback and Q&A sessions.  

 Course Review & Final Submission  

- Refining reports, addressing feedback.  

Assessment

- Participation & Discussions: 10%  

- Quizzes (Methods & Concepts): 20%  

- Research Proposal Draft: 25%  

- Final Research Report: 35% 

- Presentation: 10%

Recommended Resources  

- Textbooks:  

  - Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches by Creswell & Creswell.  

  - The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students by Ridley.  

- Online Tools: Google Scholar, OWL Purdue (citation guidelines).  

Instructor: [Dr sani lawan liman]  

Email: [sanilawanliman2000@gmail.com]  

Good luck! Let’s make your research journey insightful and impactful.