Research Methodology
- Management Sciences
- 700 level
- 2 credit units
- 113 pages
- 15 units
This course introduces students to research concepts and theories, equipping them with essential research skills. It covers the meaning of research, the research process, and its significance in public administration. Students will learn about research types, literature review, citation styles, research design, proposal writing, and sampling techniques. The course also explores data collection methods, statistical analysis, and hypothesis testing, preparing students to conduct effective research and solve societal problems.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Study hours
- 200 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical, practical, case study, problem solving, research
- Practical work
- Yes
- Basic understanding of public administration principles
- Familiarity with social science concepts
- Assignments
- Tutor Marked Assessments
- Final Examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of FMS731, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
FMS731 · UNIT 1: Sources of Knowledge
There are 17 hours of tutorials provided in support of this course. You will be notified of the dates, times and location of these tutorials, together with the names and phone numbers of your tutor, as soon as you are allocated a tutorial group.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the research process and its application in public administration.
- Develop skills in literature review and citation.
- Design research proposals and select appropriate research methods.
- Apply sampling techniques and data collection methods effectively.
- Analyze data using descriptive and inferential statistics.
- Evaluate the validity and reliability of research findings.
What it prepares you for
- Policy Analyst
- Research Officer
- Public Administrator
- Program Evaluator
- Data Manager
- Government Agencies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Research Institutions
- Consulting Firms
- International Development
- SPSS
- Microsoft Excel
- Online Survey Platforms
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Measurements, Surveys and Sampling Techniques
Unit 2: Scales of Measurement
Understanding the nuances between different scales (nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio) requires careful attention to detail and application of abstract concepts.
- Module 5: Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
Unit 4: Role of Statistics in Research: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics
Applying descriptive and inferential statistics requires understanding of underlying assumptions and appropriate selection of tests based on data types.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 76 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Introductory Issues
Unit 1: Sources of Knowledge · 4 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the different sources of knowledge and their limitations.. Reflect on personal experiences and identify how knowledge was acquired.. Complete Tutor-Marked Assignment (TMA) on sources of knowledge..
Unit 2: The Definition of Research and the Research Process · 4 hours
Read Unit 2: Define research and the research process.. Identify the steps involved in the research process.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss the definition of research and the research process..
- Week 2Module 1: Introductory Issues
Unit 3: Research in Public Administration: Significance and Challenges · 5 hours
Read Unit 3: Understand the significance and challenges of research in public administration.. Identify ways to overcome the challenges of research.. Complete Assignment 2: Discuss the significance and challenges of research in public administration..
- Week 3Module 2:Basic Concepts, Literature and Citation Skills in Research
Unit 1: Basic Concepts of Research · 5 hours
Read Unit 1: Define and describe basic concepts of research.. Understand the characteristics of quantitative and qualitative variables.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss the basic concepts of research..
- Week 4Module 2:Basic Concepts, Literature and Citation Skills in Research
Unit 2: Literature Review Skills in Conducting Research · 4 hours
Read Unit 2: Acquire literature review skills in conducting research.. Identify and use sources of literature for review..
- Week 5Module 2:Basic Concepts, Literature and Citation Skills in Research
Unit 3: Citation Skills in Conducting Research · 5 hours
Read Unit 3: Acquire citation skills in conducting research.. Understand and apply principles guiding the use of citations.. Complete Assignment 2: Discuss citation skills in conducting research..
- Week 6Module 3: Typologies of Research, Chapter Outlines, and Research Proposal
Unit 1: Typologies of Research · 5 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the different typologies of research.. Acquire skills needed for executing quantitative and qualitative research.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss the typologies of research..
- Week 7Module 3: Typologies of Research, Chapter Outlines, and Research Proposal
Unit 2: Chapter Outlines for Different Research Approaches · 4 hours
Read Unit 2: Understand chapter outlines for different research approaches.. Acquire skills needed for developing chapter outlines for quantitative and qualitative research..
Unit 3: Research Proposal · 4 hours
Read Unit 3: Understand the nature of academic research proposal.. Be in a position to write an academic research proposal.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss research proposal..
- Week 8Module 4: Measurements, Surveys and Sampling Techniques
Unit 1: Functions and Types of Measurement · 4 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the functions and types of measurement.. Identify particular types of data that are measured by different measurements..
Unit 2: Scales of Measurement · 4 hours
Read Unit 2: Understand what a scale of measurement means.. Demonstrate the use of Likert scale in conducting survey research.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss scales of measurement..
- Week 9Module 4: Measurements, Surveys and Sampling Techniques
Unit 3: Survey Research, Sample Size and Sampling Techniques · 5 hours
Read Unit 3: Understand the characteristics of survey research.. Define and apply concepts of population, sample, sampling, inference, unit of analysis, and sample size.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss survey research, sample size and sampling techniques..
- Week 10Module 4: Measurements, Surveys and Sampling Techniques
Units 4: Issues of Validity and Reliability in Research · 5 hours
Read Unit 4: Understand the issues of validity and reliability in research.. Demonstrate an understanding of ways of improving validity of an instrument.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss issues of validity and reliability in research..
- Week 11Module 5: Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
Unit 1: The Questionnaire Instrument · 5 hours
Read Unit 1: Understand the nature of a questionnaire as an instrument of data collection.. Know the types, advantages and disadvantages of a questionnaire.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss the questionnaire instrument..
- Week 12Module 5: Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
Unit 2: Interview Instrument and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) · 4 hours
Read Unit 2: Understand the nature of an Interview Schedule as a means of collecting qualitative data.. Comprehend how an Interview Schedule can be used in practice.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss the interview instrument and focus group discussion..
Unit 3: Observation and Documentary Methods of Data Collection · 4 hours
Read Unit 3: Understand the nature of documentary research.. Know where to collect and use credible and timely documentary data.. Complete Assignment 2: Discuss observation and documentary methods of data collection..
- Week 13Module 5: Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
Unit 4: Role of Statistics in Research: Descriptive and Inferential Statistics · 5 hours
Read Unit 4: Understand the two broad types of statistics namely descriptive and inferential statistics.. Comprehend how these statistical tools are used in relation to a hypothesis in a research.. Complete Assignment 1: Discuss the role of statistics in research..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs) and feedback to identify areas of weakness.
- Create concept maps linking Units 3-5 research design concepts.
- Practice applying different sampling techniques from Units 7-9 to hypothetical research scenarios.
- Focus on understanding the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics from Units 11-13.
- Allocate specific study time for each module, focusing on key concepts and learning outcomes.
- Practice writing research proposals based on the guidelines in Module 3, Unit 3.
- Review examples of well-designed questionnaires and interview schedules from Units 10-11.
- Create flashcards for key terms and definitions from all units.
- Form a study group to discuss challenging concepts and share insights.
- Simulate exam conditions by practicing with past questions and timing yourself.
Questions students ask about this course
What is FMS731 about?
This course introduces students to research concepts and theories, equipping them with essential research skills. It covers the meaning of research, the research process, and its significance in public administration. Students will learn about research types, literature review, citation styles, research design, proposal writing, and sampling techniques. The course also explores data collection methods, statistical analysis, and hypothesis testing, preparing students to conduct effective research and solve societal problems.
How many units does FMS731 have?
FMS731, Research Methodology, has 15 units across 5 modules, over 113 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is FMS731?
FMS731 carries 2 credit units, at 700 level in Management Sciences.
Is FMS731 hard?
FMS731 is rated intermediate level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical, case study, problem solving and research work, and it has a practical component.
How long does FMS731 take to study?
About 200 hours of study, spread across its 15 units.
How is FMS731 assessed?
FMS731 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.
What do I need before starting FMS731?
Basic understanding of public administration principles Familiarity with social science concepts
What can I do with FMS731?
Policy Analyst, Research Officer, Public Administrator, Program Evaluator and Data Manager.