Research Methods in Peace and Conflict Resolution

1. Understand the scientific method in research
2. Write research proposals
3. Define research and raise research questions
4. Understand the meanings of methodology
5. Understand the use of quantitative data in research

13 weeks, about 68 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1Module 1: Research Foundation

   • Unit 1: Introduction to Research · 3 hours

     Define research and its types. Explain the importance of research. Discuss the characteristics of research. Differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research approaches.

   • Unit 2: Science and Research · 3 hours

     Describe science and research. Identify sources of knowledge. Explain types of errors in human inquiry. Discuss characteristics of the scientific method.

2. Week 2Module 1: Research Foundation

   • Unit 3: Basic Foundation of Social Research · 3 hours

     Define concepts, models, variables, theory, hypothesis, and law. Understand the meaning of each concept. Apply the concepts correctly in research. State differences in the use of these terms.

   • Unit 4: Processes or Methods of Social Research · 3 hours

     Explain the procedure of carrying out social research. Understand how to choose a researchable topic. Develop aims and objectives. Identify appropriate research instruments.

3. Week 3Module 1: Research Foundation

   • Unit 5: Research Proposal and Research Project Report · 4 hours

     Explain what a research proposal is. Enumerate and discuss components of a research proposal. Discuss research project report.

4. Week 4Module 2: Data and Data Collection Instruments

   • Unit 1: Meaning and Components of Data · 3 hours

     Define data and its types. State characteristics of good data collection. Discuss data collection procedure. Understand bias in data.

   • Unit 2: Questionnaire as Research Tool · 3 hours

     Define questionnaire and its types. State merits and demerits of questionnaires. Enumerate qualities of a good questionnaire. List advantages and disadvantages of questionnaires.

5. Week 5Module 2: Data and Data Collection Instruments

   • Unit 3: Interviews as Research Tool · 3 hours

     Define interview survey technique. Classify and explain classes of interviews. Enumerate and explain types of interview methods. State measures promoting good quality of data.

   • Unit 4: Focus Group Discussion · 3 hours

     Define Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Discuss process(es) of conducting FGD. Explain guidelines for conducting FGD. Enumerate how to write FGD report.

6. Week 6Module 2: Data and Data Collection Instruments

   • Unit 5: Observation and Indirect Research Tools · 4 hours

     Explain observation. State importance of preliminary steps during observation. Mention and discuss types of observation. Discuss indirect methods of data collection.

7. Week 7Module 3: Sources of Research Data/Information

   • Unit 1: Library and Research · 3 hours

     Define library. Explain library classification. Discuss cataloguing. State benefits of library to research.

   • Unit 2: Use of Internet Resource for Research · 3 hours

     Define the internet. Enumerate types of information on the internet. Understand basic internet tools. Explain how to find information on the internet.

8. Week 8Module 3: Sources of Research Data/Information

   • Unit 3: Research Ethics · 4 hours

     Define research ethics. Explain basic principles of ethics in social research. Give an account of historical background of research ethics.

9. Week 9Module 3: Sources of Research Data/Information

   • Unit 4: Referencing Styles in Academic Works I · 4 hours

     Define referencing and referencing styles. Enumerate different referencing styles. Discuss APA and MLA styles.

10. Week 10Module 3: Sources of Research Data/Information

    • Unit 5: Referencing Styles in Academic Works 2 · 4 hours

      Explain Chicago manual style of referencing. Discuss Harvard style. Discuss Vancouver style.

11. Week 11Module 4: Components of Good Research

    • Unit 1: Sample and Sampling Methods · 3 hours

      Define sample and sampling. Mention types of methods of sampling. Explain different types of probability methods. List and discuss different types of non-probability sampling methods.

    • Unit 2: Research Measurement and Scaling · 3 hours

      Define measurement. State functions of measurement. Explain types of scale of measurement. List and discuss measuring scales and errors of measurement.

12. Week 12Module 4: Components of Good Research

    • Unit 3: Validity and Reliability · 3 hours

      Define validity. Explain different types of validity. State what reliability is. Discuss various forms or types of reliability.

    • Unit 4: Importance of the Use of Statistics in Research · 3 hours

      Define statistics. Mention and explain types of statistics. Enumerate the relevance of statistics to social research. State scale of measurement.

13. Week 13Module 5: Types of Research and Data Analysis

    • Unit 1: Qualitative Research · 3 hours

      Define qualitative research. Explain nature of qualitative research. State characteristics of qualitative research. Enumerate reasons for conducting qualitative research.

    • Unit 2: Quantitative Research · 3 hours

      Define quantitative research. Enumerate characteristics of quantitative research. State reasons for conducting quantitative research. Explain characteristics and nature of quantitative research report.