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ARD501

Statistics And Research Method

This course introduces students to statistics and research methods in agricultural extension. It covers research problem identification, hypothesis development, research design, questionnaire design, and data collection methods. Students will learn to use statistical tools for data analysis and present research findings in narrative, tabular, and graphical forms. The course aims to equip students with the skills to conduct research and contribute to the development and adoption of improved technologies in agriculture.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
48 hours
Maths
Intermediate
Content
Theoretical, practical, case study
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor marked assessments
  • Final examination

What you'll read

The real module and unit structure of ARD501, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.

Module 2 · RESEARCH DESIGN, QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN AND DATA COLLECTION
Module 3 · STATISTICAL THEORY AND DIFFERENT STATISTICAL METHODS FOR HANDLING DATA
Module 4 · PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS IN NARRATIVE, TABULAR AND GRAPHICAL FORMS

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

ARD501 · UNIT 1 RESEARCH: MEANING, IMPORTANCE AND CHARACTERISTICS

Extension may be defined as the science of developing the capability of the people for sustainable improvement in their quality of life. The main aim of extension is human development.

What you should be able to do

  1. Discuss research problems.
  2. Develop hypothesis and relate it to the objectives of the research.
  3. Design research and prepare the questionnaire for data collection.
  4. Use statistical tools to analyse data collected.
  5. Present the findings in narrative, tabular and graphical forms.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Agricultural Extension Officer
  • Research Assistant
  • Data Analyst
  • Project Manager
  • Consultant
Where it is applied
  • Agriculture
  • Rural Development
  • Government Agencies
  • Research Institutions
  • Consulting Firms

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 3: Statistical Theory and Different Statistical Methods for Handling Data

    Unit 1: Sampling and Statistical Tools

    Requires understanding of advanced statistical concepts and formulas, including probability distributions and hypothesis testing.

  • Module 4: Presentation of Research Findings in Narrative, Tabular and Graphical Forms

    Unit 1: Data Presentation

    Involves the application of statistical knowledge to interpret and present research findings effectively, demanding critical thinking and analytical skills.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 37 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Research Problems and Statement of Hypothesis
    • Unit 1: Research: Meaning, Importance and Characteristics · 2 hours

      Define research, its importance, and characteristics.. Discuss the different types of research.. Assess the type of data needed in social research..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Research Problems and Statement of Hypothesis
    • Unit 2: Selection and Formulation of a Research Problem · 2 hours

      Define a research problem.. Identify factors that determine the choice of a problem.. Describe sources of research problems.. Formulate and evaluate research problem..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Research Problems and Statement of Hypothesis
    • Unit 3: Developing Hypothesis, Objectives and Identification of Variables · 2 hours

      Develop hypothesis for the research problem formulated.. List the criteria for good hypothesis and type of hypothesis.. Identify types of errors in research.. Describe the different types of variable..

  4. Week 4Module 2: Research Design, Questionnaire Design and Data Collection
    • Unit 1: Research Design · 2 hours

      Provide a definition and purpose of research design.. Explain the different types of research designs..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Research Design, Questionnaire Design and Data Collection
    • Unit 2: Questionnaire Design · 2 hours

      Develop questionnaire for social survey.. Structure a questionnaire.. Determine what it takes to pre-test questionnaire.. Describe the process of administering questionnaire..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Research Design, Questionnaire Design and Data Collection
    • Unit 3: Measurement and Data Collection Methods · 2 hours

      Find out what kind of data will be required to study the research problems.. Explain the different data collection devices, their strengths and weaknesses..

  7. Week 7Module 3: Statistical Theory and Different Statistical Methods for Handling Data
    • Unit 1: Sampling and Statistical Tools · 3 hours

      List the various sampling techniques.. Explain the different statistical tools and techniques..

  8. Week 8Module 4: Presentation of Research Findings in Narrative, Tabular and Graphical Forms
    • Unit 1: Data Presentation · 3 hours

      Handle data for decision making.. Present research finding in narrative, tabular and graphical forms.. Calculate measures of central tendency and dispersion..

  9. Week 9Module 4: Presentation of Research Findings in Narrative, Tabular and Graphical Forms
    • Unit 2: Report Writing · 3 hours

      Appraise the method of preparing a research report.. Identify the target audience sponsor of research, administrator or policy makers, academic community and to prepare the report accordingly.. Provide a general framework for preparing a research report..

  10. Week 10Module 1: Research Problems and Statement of Hypothesis
    • Unit 1: Research: Meaning, Importance and Characteristics · 2 hours

      Review Module 1 Units 1-3. Practice formulating research problems and hypotheses..

    • Unit 2: Selection and Formulation of a Research Problem · 2 hours

      Review Module 1 Units 1-3. Practice formulating research problems and hypotheses..

  11. Week 11Module 2: Research Design, Questionnaire Design and Data Collection
    • Unit 1: Research Design · 2 hours

      Review Module 2 Units 1-3. Design sample questionnaires..

    • Unit 2: Questionnaire Design · 2 hours

      Review Module 2 Units 1-3. Design sample questionnaires..

  12. Week 12Module 3: Statistical Theory and Different Statistical Methods for Handling Data
    • Unit 1: Sampling and Statistical Tools · 4 hours

      Review Module 3 Unit 1. Practice statistical calculations..

  13. Week 13Module 4: Presentation of Research Findings in Narrative, Tabular and Graphical Forms
    • Unit 1: Data Presentation · 4 hours

      Review Module 4 Units 1-2. Practice data presentation and report writing..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review all module objectives and key terms.
  • Practice designing research questionnaires.
  • Work through examples of statistical calculations.
  • Focus on understanding different research designs and their applications.
  • Practice interpreting data presented in tables and graphs.

Questions students ask about this course

What is ARD501 about?

This course introduces students to statistics and research methods in agricultural extension. It covers research problem identification, hypothesis development, research design, questionnaire design, and data collection methods. Students will learn to use statistical tools for data analysis and present research findings in narrative, tabular, and graphical forms. The course aims to equip students with the skills to conduct research and contribute to the development and adoption of improved technologies in agriculture.

How many units does ARD501 have?

ARD501, Statistics And Research Method, has 9 units across 4 modules, over 111 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is ARD501?

ARD501 carries 3 credit units, at 500 level in Agricultural Sciences.

Is ARD501 hard?

ARD501 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and case study work, and it has a practical component.

How long does ARD501 take to study?

About 48 hours of study, spread across its 9 units.

How is ARD501 assessed?

ARD501 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.

What can I do with ARD501?

Agricultural Extension Officer, Research Assistant, Data Analyst, Project Manager and Consultant.

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