Research Methodology
A comprehensive self-paced programme based on Dr. Najm Aleessawi's Research Methodology textbook — from defining research and formulating problems through design, measurement, sampling, data collection, analysis, mixed methods, AI-augmented research, report writing, and ethics. Ideal for undergraduate and graduate students across disciplines.
Based on: Dr. Najm Aleessawi — Research Methodology: A Comprehensive Textbook (1st ed., 2026)
What you will learn
- Define research and distinguish qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methodologies.
- Formulate research problems, questions, hypotheses, and conceptual frameworks.
- Select appropriate research designs, measurement tools, and sampling strategies.
- Collect, process, and prepare primary and secondary data ethically.
- Apply descriptive and inferential statistics, correlation, and regression analysis.
- Conduct and report qualitative research with trustworthiness and thematic analysis.
- Integrate mixed methods and understand AI-augmented research responsibly.
- Write and present research reports, theses, and articles to academic standards.
- Apply research ethics, informed consent, and institutional review requirements.
Course outline
1. Module 1: Introduction to Research Methodology
Why research matters, how this course is structured, and the journey from curiosity to evidence-based knowledge.
45 min · Intermediate
2. Module 2: Introduction to Research
Define research, classify types of research, understand the scientific method, theory, ethics, and characteristics of good research.
55 min · Intermediate
3. Module 3: Research Process and Problem Formulation
Move from a broad topic to a research problem, purpose statement, questions, hypotheses, literature review, and proposal.
65 min · Intermediate
4. Module 4: Research Design
Understand the meaning and need for research design, features of good design, and major design types.
60 min · Intermediate
5. Module 5: Measurement and Scaling Techniques
Measurement concepts, errors, scales of measurement, scaling techniques, and criteria for good instruments.
55 min · Intermediate
6. Module 6: Sampling Design and Procedures
Population, sample, sampling frame, probability and non-probability methods, and sample size.
60 min · Intermediate
7. Module 7: Methods of Data Collection
Primary vs secondary data, questionnaires, interviews, experiments, observation, and ethical collection.
60 min · Intermediate
8. Module 8: Data Processing and Preparation
Data entry, cleaning, transformation, coding, validation, and preparation for analysis.
55 min · Intermediate
9. Module 9: Descriptive Statistics and Data Patterns
Fundamental concepts, distributions, visualisation, reporting standards, and software for descriptive analysis.
60 min · Intermediate
10. Module 10: Inferential Statistics: Hypothesis Testing
Logic of hypothesis testing, p-values, effect size, power, parametric and non-parametric tests, and reporting.
65 min · Advanced
11. Module 11: Association, Correlation, and Regression Analysis
Correlation, causation, simple and multiple regression, assumptions, and reporting.
65 min · Advanced
12. Module 12: Qualitative Research Methods
Philosophy of qualitative inquiry, designs, sampling, data collection, coding, thematic analysis, and trustworthiness.
70 min · Advanced
13. Module 13: Quantitative Research Methods
Philosophical foundations, quantitative designs, sampling, measurement, analysis, and reporting.
60 min · Advanced
14. Module 14: Advanced Topics and Mixed Methods
Mixed methods foundations, design types, triangulation, integration, and quality criteria.
65 min · Advanced
15. Module 15: AI-Augmented Research
Using AI tools across the research process — literature review, analysis, writing — with ethics and limits.
55 min · Advanced
16. Module 16: Research Report Writing and Presentation
Structure and write each section of a thesis, dissertation, or journal article; present findings effectively.
65 min · Advanced
17. Module 17: Ethics in Research
Core ethical principles, misconduct, IRB approval, consent, privacy, and ethics in digital and AI research.
60 min · Advanced