Scribd
Upload
2 views

Introduction

The ENVS 361 course, taught by Dr. Frank Baffour-Ata, aims to equip students with the skills to conduct and evaluate Environmental Science research through various methods. The course covers essential topics such as research design, data collection, and ethical principles, with a strong emphasis on attendance and participation. Students will also learn the importance of research methods in decision-making across various fields and become critical consumers of research findings.

Uploaded by

amankwahadugyamfi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Introduction

The ENVS 361 course, taught by Dr. Frank Baffour-Ata, aims to equip students with the skills to conduct and evaluate Environmental Science research through various methods. The course covers essential topics such as research design, data collection, and ethical principles, with a strong emphasis on attendance and participation. Students will also learn the importance of research methods in decision-making across various fields and become critical consumers of research findings.

Uploaded by

amankwahadugyamfi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

ENVS 361 – RESEARCH

METHODS

Dr. Frank Baffour-Ata (PhD)


Department of Environmental Science
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology 1
Course objectives
• To prepare the student to undertake and to
evaluate Environmental Science research using
a variety of research methods.

• To address the basic issues regarding the


formulation of research questions, research
design, and data collection and analysis.

2
Course outline
• Meaning of research
• Objectives, types, approaches and significance of research
• Empirical research steps: topic selection and factors affecting choice
• Problem articulation
• Literature review
• Conceptual framework
• Research philosophy and design
• Measurement and operationalization
• Methods of data collection
• Sampling
• Instrumentation
• References, bibliography and appendix
• Ethical principles in research 3
Course requirements
• YOU ARE REQUIRED TO:
Attend lectures always and on time.

Pay attention during lectures. It is a sin to record


my voice.

Ask & answer questions pertaining to the topic.

Contribute to discussions during lectures.

Mute your cell phone during lectures.


4
Attendance at lectures
• Attendance at lectures is an integral part of the
requirements of assessment for the course.

• However, if any student absents herself or himself for


a cumulative total of three (3) lecture periods before
mid-semester, s/he will not be eligible to write both
the mid-semester and end of semester examinations
if this occurs after the mid-semester examination.

5
Mode of delivery
• Lectures

• Tutorials

• Presentations

• Assignments.

6
Reading list
• Patten M.L. & Newhart M. (2017). Understanding Research Methods: An Overview of
the Essentials. 10th edition. Routledge.

• Pajo B. (2017). Introduction to Research Methods: A Hands-On Approach (NULL). 1st


edition. SAGE Publications, Inc.

• White T.L. & McBurney D.H. (2012). Research Methods. 9th edition. Cengage
Learning.

• Leavy P. (2017). Research Design. 1st edition. The Guilford Press.

7
Why should students have knowledge on research methods?
• Leaders in all fields are increasingly relying on the results of research to make important
decisions, such as:
how to help those who are dependent on welfare
which types of educational programs to fund, and
how to adjust work environments to improve employees’ output and satisfaction.

NB: If students hope to become decision makers in their fields, they must master research
methods in order to be effective at sorting through the conflicting claims often found in the
research literature.

• Many students will be expected to conduct simple but important research on the job. For
example:
Clinical psychologists are expected to track improvements made by their clients.
Teachers are expected to experiment with new methods in the classroom.
8
 Social workers are expected to collect data on their clients.
Why should students have knowledge on research
methods cont’d?
• All students will be making lifestyle decisions on the basis of research reported in the
media.
 Should an individual take vitamin supplements?
 How should individuals dress for success on the job?
 Which make of automobile is superior if the buyer’s primary concern is safety?

NB: Answers based on research are often offered in newspapers, magazines, and
television newscasts.

As a result of studying research methods, students will become knowledgeable and critical
consumers of research.

• Students may need to read and report on published research. They will be more skilled
9
at
doing this if they have a solid understanding of basic methods of research.

You might also like