The Advanced research Methodology Course is grounded within the philosophy of Competency-based learning, thus the training is geared towards the graduates being able to display defined skills and knowledge as relates to the process of research. This means that each student on the course should be able to demonstrate competencies in selected skills, knowledge and attitude beyond basic research at every stage of the learning process. This Competency based training utilize needs and performance abilities of the students enrolled on the course. An analysis referred to as competency mapping to identify and establish core competencies will be done, thus identifying student performance gaps. There will be a direct target on the skills needed to expand and improve one’s ability to perform a given task to a given standard; therefore there will be a focus on acquisition of specified and specialized skills, knowledge and attitude.

The course facilitator conducts initial students’ competencies audit in order to establish their needs so that the core research competencies targeted are identified. This will help the students to see the value of the course, thus making it more practical in providing avenues for learning the research methodology skills and knowledge that the students lack.

The course content delivery is organised into eight (8) modules each focusing on different content areas of the advanced research methodology competences, knowledge, skills and attitudes to be acquired. The modules are:

• Module I: Foundation of Research
• Module II: Qualitative Research Methods
• Module III: Quantitative Research Methods
• Module IV: Quantitative Analaysis Uding SPSS
• Module V: Mixed Methods Research Methods
• Module VI: Fieldwork in Research
• Module VII: Literature Review and Report Writing
• Module VIII: Supervision
• Module IX: Research Uptake Strategies

General Course Objectives

The objectives of this course are to:
a) Expose research students to the systematic process of research based on the philosophy and theory of research
b) Increase students awareness to qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches to research paradigms
c) Aid students to apply course material to their own research through participation in the discussion
d) Guide students in assessing and critiquing published journal articles that use the primary research methods studied in the course
e) Develop each student’s ability to use the research knowledge and skills to become more effective in designing a research proposal and conducting meaningful inquiry and research
f) Support students in the development of appropriate academic writing and reporting skills in proposal development
g) Explore the necessary fieldwork skills essential in the different research paradigms
h) Examine the supervisor-supervisee relationship in the process of research
i) Underscore the need to make methodological approaches clear because international examiners, journals, and funding bodies will judge proposals, theses and articles, based on one’s methodological leaningand understanding.
j) Expose students to varied research uptake strategies for improved knowledge sharing and dissemination

Expected Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, the doctoral/research student should be able to:
a) Display an understanding of the systematic process of research with philosophical and theoretical contexts
b) Demonstrate an awareness to qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods approaches to research paradigms
c) Apply course material to their own research through participation in in-class discussions and activities, and in applying course concepts to class assignments
d) Assess and critique published journal articles that usethe primary research methods studied in the course
e) Demonstrate the ability to use this knowledge to become more effective in designing a research proposal and conducting meaningful inquiry and research
f) Display the development and utilization of appropriate academic writing and reporting skills in proposal development
g) Demonstrate an understanding of the necessary fieldwork skills essential in the different research paradigms.
h) Show an appreciation of and describe the supervisor-supervisee relationship in the process of research
i) Show an awareness of the methodological approaches required by international examiners, journals, and funding bodies will judge proposals, theses and articles, based on one’s methodological leaning and understanding.
j) Exhibit comprehension of the varied research uptake strategies for improved knowledge sharing and dissemination

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