Course
Research Methodology: From research question to research proposal - 4 ECTS
This 4 ECTS course offers you an overview of the entire research cycle, with an emphasis on the technical design.
We will be starting with a brief evaluation of proper research questions and hypotheses to continue with operationalization, the study design (e.g. experiment, cross-sectional), and sampling design (random, non-random, systematic). We’ll discuss important issues that need consideration to design data collection (qualitative, quantitative or mixed) including the choice of research instruments; research ethics and research integrity; and finally, reporting the research and research design in a scientific manner.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants are (among other things) able to:
- Explain the differences between a conceptual and technical research design
- Understand the relation between research questions and research approaches
- Describe the defining features (e.g. level of control by the researcher, number of data collection waves) of an appropriate study design
- Explain the (threats to) internal validity associated with the chosen study design.
- Understand when qualitative research is appropriate, when quantitative research is appropriate, and, when mixed methods research is appropriate
- Understand the basic principles of operationalization of one- and multidimensional concepts
- Describe the pros and cons of different data collection methods
- Explain (threats to) reliability and measurement validity of chosen data collection instruments
- Clarify what random, non-random, and systematic sampling is about
- Describe how a chosen sampling design relates to different forms of generalizability (e.g. external validity).
- Evaluate and present research design in terms of: internal validity, reliability, measurement validity, different forms of triangulation, different forms of generalizability, and different forms of saturation.
Participants
We expect students to bring to the course well-developed research questions. In addition, students are expected to have sorted out their theoretical framework. The course is designed in such a way that student can work on either their PhD project proposal, or on a particular study within their project.
General course setup
This course consists of lecturing with (online) class-room exercises and self-study. In addition, students will apply principles of research design to their own project.
Week 1 and week 2
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday 9 – 12h: classes.
Rest of the day: self-study and work on your research design
Friday: catching up and any other business
Week 3
Monday 9 – 12h: extra class or opportunity to consult lecturer
Tuesday and Wednesday 9.30 – 12.30h: opportunity to consult lecturer
Rest of the day: self-study and work on your research design
Thursday morning: presentations of students’ research design & closure
Course materials:
- Tobi H, Kampen JK (2018). Research design: the Methodology for Interdisciplinary Research framework. Quality & Quantity 52(3) 1209-1225. DOI 10.1007/s11135-0513-8.
- Chapters from Kumar R. (…). Research Methodology: a step-by-step guide for beginners. Any edition up from the 3rd will do. Please note that the 5th edition is available from https://corladancash.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Research-Methodology-Ranjit-Kumar.pdf.
- Other papers and videos will be announced.
Course fees
WGS PhDs with TSP | € 325 |
Other PhDs, postdocs and academic staff | € 650 |
Participants from the private sector | € 975 |