RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES

COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE NAME: TITLE: ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODS

Course Purpose

The course is intended to equip students with advanced research techniques to enable students
identify research problems, formulate proposals and follow through the entire research process
in order to solve the problem.

Course Description:

The course familiarizes students with the logic of social science inquiry, research designs, and
variety of research methods. The course follows a step-by-step process of conceiving from
articulating a research problem, literature review, research methodology, data presentation,
analysis and interpretation, and discussions, conclusions, and recommendations.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

1. Demonstrate understanding of academic rigor and standards expected of

postgraduate research.
2. Distinguish the difference between quantitative and qualitative research paradigms
and categorize key research variables (independent and dependent variables)
3. Create SMART research objectives, problem statement and purpose and translate
them into actual study
4. Apply appropriate research concepts, research designs, analytical tools in a variety
of studies.
5. Develop and produce a completed quality research proposal.
6. Create research work publishable in credible a refereed journal and publishing
houses.

COURSE CONTENTS

Introduction to Introduction research, research theory (the philosophy of knowledge and social
sciences; positivism to post-positivism) and their relevance to social and business inquiry;
research, background to proposal and report writing, importance of proposals; factors guiding
proposal writing; proposal format; problem statement; purpose; objectives; scope; aims and
limitations of a study; reviewing the literature; theoretical framework; theories/models;
conceptual framework; research design; data collection and analysis; report writing and
presentation; Fundamental research paradigms and their philosophical underpinnings; research
design, the main research methods: qualitative methods and social science; quantitative
methods, sampling techniques, data collection tools and techniques, quantitative & qualitative
data analysis and presentation for social research; discourse analysis, surveys and
questionnaires, interviews and focus groups, observational methods; institutional review
boards;; methods of data analysis -quantitative and qualitative – including exposure to analysis
computer software programs, research ethics, writing and critiquing research proposals and
final thesis reports, findings and discussions, conclusions and recommendations. Prerequisite:
GRW 611, GRA 613 & GRA 611

Mode of Delivery
Teaching methods to be used include interactive learning in form of seminars, case studies,
guest lectures, video and teleconferencing, group discussions, field research (local and
international) and industry linkage.

Instructional Materials and/ or Equipment

The following instructional materials will be used; e-technology (internet), textbooks, white
boards, LCD projectors, videos, computers based simulations and real world case studies.

Course Assessment
This course will be assessed through written assignments and a proposal accounting for 60%
of the marks. The final written exam will contribute the remaining 40% giving a total of 100%.

CATS 70
Final Exam 30
Total 100

Avelino Sousa-Poza & Nathapon Siangchokyoo (2012). Research Methodologies: A Look at the
Underlying Philosophical Foundations of Research. Conference: American Society for
Engineering Management International ConferenceAt: Virginia Beach, VA.

Bryman, A. (2001). Social research methods. Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press.

Cooper D.R. and Schindler, P.J. (2014). Business Research Methods. 12th Edition. New Delhi. McGraw
Hill.

Kothari C.R. (2004). Research Methodology: Methods and Techniques. New Age International
Publishers.

MacDonald, S. & Headlam, N. (2005). Research Methods Handbook Introductory guide to research
methods for social research,

Mugenda, A.G. (2008). Social Science Research Applied Research & Training Services. 1 st Edition,
Nairobi.
Pandey, P. & Pandey, M. (2015). Research Methodology, Tools and Techniques. Bridge center; New
Dheli

Sprinz, D. & Wolinssky, Y. (eds.) (2002). Models, Numbers and Cases, methods for studying
international Relations. MI: University of Michigan Press.

Walliman, N. (2011). Research Methods: The Basics. Routledge. New York.

Semester lessons and activities

PART ONE: DESIGN – PLANNING IT
Week Topic Intended Learning Activities
Outcome
1. Introduction: • Introduce course and • Discuss course
• What is research? research outline and
• Definition of research • Explain the meaning introduce course.
• Research and science of research
• Sources of knowledge • Explain the
• The Research process motivations of doing
• Why study research research and the
• The goals of research significance of
• What is a good research? research
• Distinguish between
research methods from
methodology
.
2. Research process, approaches, and • Demonstrate Readings
philosophies: understanding of the 1. Leavy (2017),
research process. pp. 3-22
• Develop sensitivity 2. Clark &
towards philosophical Creswell
issues in research (2015), pp.
• Evaluate the 13-17
appropriateness of the
methods employed
and the validity of the
conclusions reached in
research.
• Analyze how research
is influenced by the
theory or philosophy
that underpins.
3. Structure of a proposal: • Formulate a Readings
• Research problem, research researchable problem 1. Keyton
questions, and literature • Delineate a research (2015), pp.
review Structure of the problem clearly 33-37
research proposal • Develop a working 2. White (2009),
• Transforming research ideas hypothesis and/or pp. 59-86
into research problem SMART objectives 3. O’Leary
• Developing research problem (2018), pp.
• Research questions 40-44
 4. Literature review: • Carry out general and
empirical literature
• Theoretical basis of research review
as an activity • Outline various
themes and issues
• Definition of literature review animating literature
review
• Importance of literature • Select an appropriate
review theory or theories to
underpin the study
• Strategies for searching the • Construct an
literature appropriate conceptual
• Towards more effective framework
reading of the literature
• Criterion for a good literature
review
• How to organize your review
of the scholarship
The number of references
5. Research methodology: • Identify appropriate Readings
Research design, method, population, research design 1. Howard
and sampling techniques • Specify the sources (2019), pp.
and types of 217-243
information relevant 2. Swann
to the research (2021), pp.
problem. 38-43
• Determine the 3. APA (2019),
population and chapter 10
appropriate sampling
design
6. Research ethics and referencing style • Demonstrate clearly Readings
(APA): how the chosen Rosen (2019), pp. 57-
• Ethical considerations research design 65, 75-83
applies to the study.
• Validate the scientific
process employed in
the recruitment of
research participants.
• Demonstrate care and
protection of research
participants
7. Data collection method: Quantitative • Develop appropriate Readings
research: data collection tools 1. Stassen &
• Quantitative data vis-à-vis research Carmack
• Designing of quantitative project (2019), 191-
research instrument • Design appropriate 205
Qualitative: sampling designs 2. Krosnick
• Approaches to collect • Develop data analysis (2018), pp.
qualitative data and designing tools 439-455
of qualitative research tools.
 8. Data analysis and presentation- • Process data Readings
Quantitative: • Analyze the data 1. Gimbel &
• Data presentation • Present data Newsome
Qualitative: • (2018), pp.
• Data presentation 505-532
2. Schneider &
Jacoby
(2018), pp.
439-480
9. Interpretation/Discussion and • Write the final report Readings
presentation of findings and • Report presentation • Rosen (2019),
conclusion pp. 219-210

10. Revision • Review the course

11. Exams/final projects •

ASSESSMENT AND POLICY RULES

Online Discussion Forum

Weekly assigned readings are not optional but mandatory. Learners are expected to read the documents
and prepare questions for discussions before coming to class. Moreover, each reading will always have
questions or case study that learners will discuss on the online forum. These discussions are graded and
adds to 10% score of the total percentage for the course at the end of the semester. Endeavour to read
materials assigned by the instructor and actively participate in class and online forum discussions.

Procedures and Class Requirement

Learners are expected to be punctual in class, sit through to the end of the class, and remain muted
during class sessions unless the student wants to ask questions or make contribution. Students should
engage actively with the class activities, complete reading assignments, and ask questions where
necessary, and above all respect the opinion of other students in response to class discussions. For
written assignments, all rules for good writing apply – including the use of APA formatting style for
citations and referencing.

Academic Honesty and Plagiarism

Penalties for violation of University policies on academic honesty can result in a failing grade for an
assignment, examination or the entire course, and even expulsion from the University.

Continuous Assessment Test (CAT)

This assessment tests students’ theoretical understanding of research concepts, processes, approaches
and application in communication research. The continuous assessment test will be taken online for a
duration that will be communicated by the instructor.

Evaluation of Peer-Reviewed Articles/Studies

This task tests learners’ understanding and application of requisite writing and research skills to critique,
analyze and evaluate published research. In addition, there will be individual presentation of proposals.