diff --git a/modular-course.md b/modular-course.md index 333fe38..8a179fc 100644 --- a/modular-course.md +++ b/modular-course.md @@ -52,111 +52,111 @@ The overarching goal is to improve the quality of research education, encourage ## Course Outline The following is an overview of the topics to be covered in this course.  Each unit will include relevant theory, current research, and its application. -* Module 1: Understanding Research - * Introduction to research: What is research? - * The research process: Steps involved in conducting research - * Types of research: Exploratory, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative vs. quantitative research. Strengths, limitations, and applications in various disciplines. -* Module 2: Formulating Research Questions - * Importance of research questions - * Characteristics of good research questions (including specificity, relevance, and feasibility). - * Techniques for formulating research questions -* Module 3: Literature Review and Background Research - * Purpose and significance of literature review. - * Searching and accessing scholarly literature (library resources, computerised databases, and web-based resources). - * Synthesising information, identifying gaps in existing research and determining the direction of a study. -* Module 4: Research Design - * Basics of research design: Experimental vs. non-experimental designs - * Variables: Independent, dependent, and control variables - * Sampling techniques: Random sampling, stratified sampling, convenience sampling. -* Module 5: Data Collection Methods - * Surveys and questionnaires - * Interviews: Structured vs. semi-structured - * Observational research - * Experimental methods -* Module 6: Data Analysis - * Introduction to data analysis - * Descriptive statistics: Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and variability (range, standard deviation). - * Inferential statistics: Introduction to hypothesis testing and significance levels -* Module 7: Research Ethics - * Ethical considerations in research - * Informed consent and confidentiality - * Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process -* Module 8: Writing and Presenting Research - * Structure of a research paper: Introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion - * Academic writing style and citation formats (e.g., APA, MLA) -* Module 9: Presenting Research - * Effective presentation skills: Creating slides, delivering presentations, and responding to questions -* Module 10: Project Management and Time Management - * Planning and managing a research project - * Setting timelines and milestones - * Dealing with setbacks and adjusting plans as needed -* Module 11: Peer Review and Revision - * Importance of peer review in research - * Strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback - * Revising and improving research projects based on peer feedback +### Module 1: Understanding Research +* Introduction to research: What is research? +* The research process: Steps involved in conducting research +* Types of research: Exploratory, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative vs. quantitative research. Strengths, limitations, and applications in various disciplines. +### Module 2: Formulating Research Questions +* Importance of research questions +* Characteristics of good research questions (including specificity, relevance, and feasibility). +* Techniques for formulating research questions +### Module 3: Literature Review and Background Research +* Purpose and significance of literature review. +* Searching and accessing scholarly literature (library resources, computerised databases, and web-based resources). +* Synthesising information, identifying gaps in existing research and determining the direction of a study. +### Module 4: Research Design +* Basics of research design: Experimental vs. non-experimental designs +* Variables: Independent, dependent, and control variables +* Sampling techniques: Random sampling, stratified sampling, convenience sampling. +### Module 5: Data Collection Methods +* Surveys and questionnaires +* Interviews: Structured vs. semi-structured +* Observational research +* Experimental methods +### Module 6: Data Analysis +* Introduction to data analysis +* Descriptive statistics: Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and variability (range, standard deviation). +* Inferential statistics: Introduction to hypothesis testing and significance levels +### Module 7: Research Ethics +* Ethical considerations in research +* Informed consent and confidentiality +* Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process +### Module 8: Writing and Presenting Research +* Structure of a research paper: Introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion +* Academic writing style and citation formats (e.g., APA, MLA) +### Module 9: Presenting Research +* Effective presentation skills: Creating slides, delivering presentations, and responding to questions +### Module 10: Project Management and Time Management +* Planning and managing a research project +* Setting timelines and milestones +* Dealing with setbacks and adjusting plans as needed +### Module 11: Peer Review and Revision +* Importance of peer review in research +* Strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback +* Revising and improving research projects based on peer feedback **Certification! 🎓** ## Learning outcomes -* **Module 0: Welcome!** +### Module 0: Welcome!** * At the end of module 0, participants will: * Become familiar with the course structure, schedule, and expectations. This preparation will facilitate engagement in the program. * Connect with the organisers and fellow coursemates, in order to establish a collaborative and supportive learning community. * Reflect on their motivation for joining the course and set personal goals for their learning journey. -* **Module 1: Understanding Research** +### Module 1: Understanding Research** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Articulate a clear definition of research, and an understanding of its purpose. * Describe the steps involved in conducting research. * Distinguish between different types of research methodologies, such as exploratory, descriptive, experimental approaches, etc. -* **Module 2: Formulating Research Questions** +### Module 2: Formulating Research Questions** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Explain the significance of research questions in guiding the research process. * Recognise how well-crafted questions contribute to the clarity and focus of a study. * Discuss the characteristics of good research questions. * Employ various techniques for formulating research questions through hands-on exercises. -* **Module 3: Literature Review and Background Research** +### Module 3: Literature Review and Background Research** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Grasp the purpose and significance of conducting a literature review. * Describe the role of literature review in contextualising research, and informing the direction of their own study. * Demonstrate practical skills in searching and accessing scholarly literature using various resources. * Identify key themes in research publications, as well as the existing knowledge gap. -* **Module 4: Research Design** +### Module 4: Research Design** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Grasp the fundamental concepts of research design, distinguishing between the various types, with an understanding of the advantages and limitations. * Identify and differentiate between variable types, understanding their roles in experimental studies and their impact on research outcomes. * Describe the sampling techniques, and their applicability to different research contexts. -* **Module 5: Data Collection Methods** +### Module 5: Data Collection Methods** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Understand the data collection methods, learn how to design, administer, and analyse survey instruments effectively. * Differentiate between structured and semi-structured interviews, describing when and how to use each approach. * Describe how to systematically observe and record behaviours or phenomena in natural or controlled settings. * Evaluate the causal relationships between variables and the importance of experimental design, control, and manipulation of variables for valid and reliable results. -* **Module 6: Data Analysis** +### Module 6: Data Analysis** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Provide a basic overview of the data analysis techniques, and their usefulness in deriving meaningful insights from research findings. * Explain the measures of central tendency and variability, highlighting how they enable researchers to summarise and interpret data distributions effectively. * Grasp the basics of inferential statistics, including hypothesis testing and significance levels, using them to make informed conclusions and decisions based on sample data. -* **Module 7: Research Ethics** +### Module 7: Research Ethics** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Discuss ethical considerations inherent in research, recognising the importance of maintaining integrity and protecting the rights and welfare of research participants. * Understand the principles of informed consent and confidentiality, how to obtain it voluntarily from participants and safeguard their privacy throughout the research process. * Express knowledge of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process, and understand its role in ensuring research compliance with ethical standards and regulations. -* **Module 8: Writing and Presenting Research** +### Module 8: Writing and Presenting Research** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Outline the structural components of a research paper, as it relates to organising research findings. * Discuss academic writing style conventions and citation formats (e.g., APA, MLA) for proper attribution of sources. * Through hands-on activities and peer feedback, learners will develop essential skills in writing and presenting research, honing their abilities to communicate their findings clearly, logically, and persuasively to academic audiences. -* **Module 9: Presenting Research** +### Module 9: Presenting Research** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Demonstrate proficiency in creating engaging and informative presentation slides, incorporating visual aids and multimedia elements to enhance audience comprehension and engagement. * Develop effective public speaking skills, mastering techniques for delivering presentations confidently, articulately, and persuasively. * Refine their ability to listen actively and respond to questions, comments and feedback gracefully and professionally. -* **Module 10: Project Management and Time Management** +### Module 10: Project Management and Time Management** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Employ acquired project management skills needed for planning and executing research projects. * Demonstrate competency in time management, utilizing strategies to prioritise tasks, manage deadlines, and balance competing demands effectively throughout the research process. * Appreciate the need for resilience and adaptability; know how to adjust plans as needed to navigate setbacks and unforeseen challenges in research projects. -* **Module 11: Peer Review and Revision** +### Module 11: Peer Review and Revision** * At the end of this module, learners will be able to: * Recognise the significance of peer review in ensuring the quality of research outputs; understand its role in providing constructive feedback, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and promoting accountability and transparency in scholarly endeavours. * Cultivate effective strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback, honing their abilities to provide thoughtful critiques, offer actionable suggestions, and communicate feedback in a professional and respectful manner.