Research Methods

1. Discuss the nature of research.
2. State the different approaches to literary and linguistics research.
3. Highlight the different sources of research topics.
4. Explain the different components of academic research.
5. Apply basic statistical tools to linguistics and literary research.
6. Access and use different sources for research data.
7. Prepare different types of references.
8. Conduct credible research projects in language and literature.

13 weeks, about 39 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: The Nature of Research in Language and Literature

   • Unit 1: The Concept and Ecology of Research · 3 hours

     Understand the concept and definition of research.. Explore the ecology of research, including observation, hypothesis formulation, and theory construction.. Differentiate between inductive and deductive research processes..

2. Week 2Module 1: The Nature of Research in Language and Literature

   • Unit 2: Functions and Importance of linguistic and Literary Research · 3 hours

     Identify the functions of linguistic and literary research.. Discuss the importance of research in community development and knowledge improvement.. Examine the qualities of a good researcher, including objectivity, flexibility, and sincerity..

3. Week 3Module 1: The Nature of Research in Language and Literature

   • Unit 3: Approaches to Research in Language and Literary Studies · 3 hours

     Explore different approaches to research, including survey, historical research, and case studies.. Understand the application of experimental and ex-post facto research methods.. Examine the steps involved in conducting historical research..

4. Week 4Module 2: Sources of Research Topics and Nature of Research Problems

   • Unit 1: Sources of Research Topics · 3 hours

     Identify primary sources of research topics, including libraries and research centers.. Explore secondary sources, such as personal experiences and previous research.. Discuss the characteristics of a good research topic, including researchability and contribution to knowledge..

5. Week 5Module 2: Sources of Research Topics and Nature of Research Problems

   • Unit 2: The Nature of Research Problems and the Problems of Research in Nigeria · 3 hours

     Understand the nature of research problems and how to identify them.. Examine the characteristics of a research problem, including testability and specificity.. Discuss the problems of research in Nigeria, such as inadequate funding and research environment..

6. Week 6Module 3: Components of Academic Research in Language and Literature

   • Unit 1: The Research Background and Objectives, Hypotheses and Research Questions · 3 hours

     Understand the components of academic research, including the research background.. Learn how to write a viable research background.. Learn how to write effective research objectives..

7. Week 7Module 3: Components of Academic Research in Language and Literature

   • Unit 2: Components of Academic Research in: Hypotheses and Research Questions · 3 hours

     Understand the components of academic research, including the research hypotheses and research questions.. Learn how to formulate appropriate hypotheses and research questions.. Apply hypotheses and research questions to linguistic and literary research..

8. Week 8Module 4: Research Designs

   • Unit 1: Qualitative Research Design · 3 hours

     Describe qualitative research and its types.. Understand phenomenological, foundational, historical, grounded theory, philosophical, and ethnographic research methods.. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative research methods..

9. Week 9Module 4: Research Designs

   • Unit 2: Methods of Qualitative Research · 3 hours

     Explore methods of qualitative research, including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions.. Design basic instruments for qualitative research.. Apply these instruments to research in language and literature..

10. Week 10Module 4: Research Designs

    • Unit 3: Quantitative Research · 3 hours

      Describe quantitative research and its design.. Design researches using quantitative methods.. Identify researches which applied quantitative research methods..

11. Week 11Module 4: Research Designs

    • Unit 4: Library/Desk Research · 3 hours

      Describe literary/desk research and its design.. State the advantages and disadvantages of applying literary/desk research.. Learn to design literary/desk researches..

12. Week 12Module 4: Research Designs

    • Unit 5: Survey and Experimental Designs · 3 hours

      Describe survey design and experimental designs.. Explain experimental design and its basic steps.. Design simple experimental research projects..

13. Week 13Module 5: Basic Statistical Tools for Linguistic and Literary Research

    • Unit 1: Introduction to Statistics · 3 hours

      Understand the types of statistics and their uses.. Explain basic measures in statistics, including central tendency.. Identify the different ways of presenting research information..