
Explore the research process, defining a question, reviewing literature, designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating findings to a lay audience, covering quantitative and qualitative methods and ethics.
Understand that a research hypothesis is a specific, testable statement made before a study and tested with collected data.
Exposes major ethical violations of the Tuskegee study and reshapes informed consent, the right to withdraw, and protections for human subjects in United States research.
Learn to craft a clear, persuasive research proposal that outlines your question, methods, data analysis, timeline, and budget, while reviewing literature gaps and ensuring feasibility and professionalism.
Explore how the digital age reshapes research, offering easier access to information, global collaboration, and wider sharing of findings, while addressing challenges like fake news and privacy concerns.
Assess why 'do your own research' is misused by anti-science voices in the covid era and why evaluating scientific evidence requires expertise; consult qualified experts to understand science.
Introduction to Research Methods is a course that provides students with the foundational skills and knowledge necessary to conduct research in any discipline. The course covers the research process, from the development of a research question to the dissemination of the results. Students will learn about different research methods, including data collection & analysis, and how to choose the appropriate methods for their research question. Students will also learn about ethical issues in research and how to avoid them, and some applications of research in the real world.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
Define research and explain the research process
Identify and describe different research methods
Choose the appropriate research method for a given research question
Design a research study
Collect and analyze data
Write a research report
Discuss ethical issues in research
This course is designed for students who are interested in conducting research in any discipline. It is also a good course for students who are interested in learning about the scientific method and how it is used to answer questions about the world.
The course will be taught using a combination of lectures, readings, and discussion. There are quizzes and assignments at the end of each section.
If you are interested in learning more about research methods, I encourage you to take this course. It is a valuable course that will give you the skills and knowledge you need to conduct research in any discipline.