The top 11 Research Methods courses you need to take

1. Understanding Research Methods

This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an understanding of research approaches and skills, and importantly an ability to deploy them in your studies or in your professional lives. In particular, this course will aid those of you who have to conduct research as part of your postgraduate studies but do not perhaps have access to research methods courses, or for those of you who feel you would like additional support for self-improvement. No prior knowledge or experience in research is required to take this course and as such, the course is for everyone. This MOOC draws on a wealth of existing course material developed to support research training across SOAS, University of London and particularly drawing from the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD). In 2015, the course was nominated for the prestigious Guardian University Award for its innovative approach to online learning. Participation in or completion of this online course will not confer academic credit for University of London programmes...

2. Research Methodology Bootcamp: Research Methods Simplified

4.8

(67)

If you're new to the daunting world of academic research and are feeling a little overwhelmed by the endless stream of jargon and technical language that makes up research methodology, this online course is for you. Within the course, we unpack and explore qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods-based approaches, so that you can get a holistic view of all the options (and how to choose between them). Designed by Dr Kerryn Warren (PhD) and Derek Jansen (MBA), this research methodology course provides you with a step-by-step practical introduction to research methodology, from the high-level, conceptual matters such as research paradigms, philosophies and approaches, to the more practical and tactical choices, such as sampling, data collection and data analysis. By undertaking this course, you'll gain a solid foundation of knowledge with which you can develop a suitable methodology for your dissertation, thesis or research project. Together, we'll work through loads of practical examples to illustrate each point and review actual successful research methodology chapter, so that you can see exactly what it takes to craft a suitable methodology. Along the way, you can test your understanding with interactive pop quizzes and ask questions about each lesson as you work through the course. This online course is specifically designed for both undergrad and postgrad students who are new to the academic research process. You don't need to have any prior research proposal writing experience, as we unpack each concept from the ground up. While this course is geared towards research methodologies and methods within the sciences (especially the social sciences), the principles and concepts we'll cover apply to the vast majority of research areas. Beyond the engaging lessons and quizzes, you can use the carefully designed practical exercises to build your actual research methodology as you work through the course. In other words, by the end of the course, you won't just have a certificate - you'll have the foundations of a practical research methodology. That said, if you'd prefer to just focus on specific lessons, you're most welcome to do so, as each lesson works perfectly well on a standalone basis. But it doesn't stop there. By joining the course, you'll get full, unrestricted access to our meaty collection of additional research methodology-related resources. This includes a comprehensive template for your research methodology, hours upon hours of additional video lessons and webinars, as well as practical tools and resources. In short, this course gives you everything you need to get started with your own research methodology. Best of all, you can easily work through it over a weekend or even a few weeknights - so you're not signing up for a huge commitment...

3. Comparative Research Designs and Methods

Emile Durkheim, one of the founders of modern empirical social science, once stated that the comparative method is the only one that suits the social sciences. But Descartes already had reminded us that “comparaison n’est pas raison”, which means that comparison is not reason (or theory) by itself. This course provides an introduction and overview of systematic comparative analyses in the social sciences and shows how to employ this method for constructive explanation and theory building. It begins with comparisons of very few cases and specific “most similar” and “most different” research designs. A major part is then devoted to the often occurring situation of dealing with a small number of highly complex cases, for example when comparing EU member states. Latin American political systems, or particular policy areas. In response to this complexity, new approaches and software have been developed in recent years (“Qualitative Comparative Analysis”, QCA, and related methods). These procedures are able to reduce complexity and to arrive at “configurational” solutions based on set theory and Boolean algebra, which are more meaningful in this context than the usual broad-based statistical methods. In the last section, these methods are contrasted with more common statistical comparative methods at the macro-level of states or societies and the respective strengths and weaknesses are discussed. Some basic quantitative or qualitative methodological training is probably useful to get more out of the course, but participants with little methodological training should find no major obstacles to follow...

4. Research Methods Made Easy

4.1

(53)

This is a comprehensive course on Research Methodology which covers all the topics of research related to Social Sciences, starting from the selection of the topic to the Report Writing, and from the research design to the application of statistical measures in the whole process of research.  This course is going to help a lot in conducting  all kinds of research and then writing a compelling thesis and dissertation. All the students, no matter whether they belong to intermediate, graduate, or postgraduate classes will benefit from this course...

5. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

4

(449)

This course teaches you the basics of conducting qualitative research. You will learn how to: (a) design research questions, (b) write interview questions, and (c) conduct observations. You will also be introduced to basic data analysis techniques and think about where you would like to publish and present your research. This course is perfect for anyone interested in conducting qualitative research but isn't sure how to get started. At the end of this course, you will have gained knowledge about the primary tools used in qualitative research and how to use them. You will be ready to go forth and conduct your own research...

6. Research Methods For Business Students

4.5

(881)

Course DescriptionIf you are a university student, you very well know the struggle of writing an academic paper - especially when it comes to the degree thesis. One has to understand and acknowledge a large number of methodological guidelines while writing. We are trying to make this process a lot simpler and less painful for you by summarizing all of the concepts that are necessary to understand if one wants to write a solid research paper. Hence we do not only cover these, but we will also have strong recommendations for you along the way with some pretty practical tips! Moreover, you will have a chance to get your research paper ideas being reviewed by the instructor! Learn and Master The Most Crucial Parts Of Writing A Research PaperStating Research Aim, Questions, and Objectives. Identifying Research Rationale and Research Problem. Choosing Research Approach, Design, Nature, and Strategy. Understanding Sampling Techniques and Sample Selection. Choosing Data Collection Technique. Making The Right Methodological ChoicesResearch is a long process that starts by identifying a problem and then selecting the proper research methodology to analyze this problem. We will go through this process in a step-by-step manner, so you can follow the videos and alongside write your research paper. We have focused on giving actual and practical recommendations for you, hence not just making an overview of all the choices you can make. For every decision that is there, such as a research strategy, you are going to hear a recommendation of which alternative you should go for with your particular research idea. Lastly, if this is your first strive to write an academic paper, there is an exclusive video in Module 2 where we present to you all the essential writing tips - such as referencing, searching for scholarly articles, etc. Course ContentsIn over 3 hours of content, this course covers all the necessary Research Methodology concepts. We strongly recommend you to follow the course while you are constructing your research paper alongside. As an extra help for you, each lecture has notes as an attachment while there are worksheets for each module that you can download and print. Finally, we added quizzes so that you can test your knowledge and get ready for an exam from this topic...

7. Positive Psychology: Character, Grit and Research Methods

Learners discover how apply to research methods to their study of Positive Psychology. In this course, we study with Dr. Angela Duckworth and Dr. Claire Robertson-Kraft. Through an exploration their work "True Grit" and interviews with researchers and practitioners, you develop a research hypothesis and learn how to understand the difference between internal and external validity. You also begin to understand and apply the strengths and weaknesses associated with different types of measurements and evaluation designs. You then interpret the results in an empirical study. Suggested prerequisites: Positive Psychology: Martin E. P. Seligman’s Visionary Science and Positive Psychology: Applications and Interventions...

8. Qualitative Research Design and Methods for Public Health

This specialization will enable public health professionals and researchers to design effective qualitative studies addressing a range of public health issues, select and implement appropriate qualitative methods to meet their study's objectives, and generate and analyze qualitative data...

9. Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research

Welcome! Are you looking to learn more about how to conduct scientific research, specifically in an urban or local context? Then you have found the right course: Studying Cities: Social Science Methods for Urban Research by the Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS), Erasmus University Rotterdam. During the course you will gain more insight in the different steps of the research cycle, and build a firm foundation for your own future research endeavors. Before any (urban) researcher may start conducting research, it is crucial to understand the different aspects and elements of doing research. The course will guide you through the various steps of the research cycle to provide you with the basic knowledge necessary for any Master-level program, but with a special focus on urban and local development. The course starts with introductory lectures on the problem statement, research objective, empirical cycle and the research question. Over the following weeks you will also learn the components and criteria of the theoretical framework and operationalization, research strategies, and the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. You will be provided with the necessary tools to understand and evaluate these key steps in scientific research by watching video lectures with in-video questions and by completing the final peer review, which will use all the elements you have learnt throughout the course...

10. Methods of Design Synthesis: Research to Product Innovation

4.5

(233)

User-centered design research activities produce an enormous quantity of raw data, which must be systematically and rigorously analyzed in order to extract meaning and insight. Unfortunately, these methods of analysis are poorly documented and rarely taught, and because of the pragmatic time constraints associated with working with clients, there is often no time dedicated in a statement of work to a practice of formal synthesis. As a result, raw design research data is inappropriately positioned as insight, and the value of user-centered research activities is marginalized - in fact, stakeholders may lose faith in the entire research practice, as they don't see direct return on the investment of research activities. Design synthesis methods can be taught, and when selectively applied, visual, diagrammatic synthesis techniques can be completed relatively quickly. During Synthesis, Designers visually explore large quantities of data in an effort to find and understand hidden relationships. These visualizations can then be used to communicate to other members of a design team, or can be used as platforms for the creation of generative sketching or model making. The action of diagramming is a way to actively produce knowledge and meaning...