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Methodnex

Research Design Essentials

Move from a topic to an answerable question, a suitable design and a sampling plan.

Proposed outline

Research Foundations, Foundation

What you will be able to do

  • Write a focused research question and testable hypotheses.
  • Choose between experimental, observational, qualitative and mixed designs.
  • Plan a sample and justify its size.
  • Identify threats to validity and reduce them.

Syllabus

  1. 1

    From topic to question

    Narrowing a topic, the role of theory, aims and hypotheses.

  2. 2

    Designs and what each can claim

    Experiments, cohort and cross-sectional studies, case studies and qualitative designs.

  3. 3

    Sampling and sample size

    Probability and purposive sampling, power and precision.

  4. 4

    Measurement and validity

    Choosing instruments, reliability, bias and confounding.

  5. 5

    Ethics and the protocol

    Consent, data protection and writing the methods section.

Who it is for
Postgraduate students and early-career researchers starting a project.
Prerequisites
None. Bring a topic you are working on.
Software
No software required. G*Power is demonstrated.
Certificate
A certificate of completion for participants who meet the attendance and assessment criteria. It is not a university credit or an accredited qualification.
Cancellation
The refund and cancellation terms are published before registration opens.

Frequently asked questions

When do courses start?

Dates are not set yet. Register your interest and we will email you when a cohort is scheduled.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who meet the attendance and assessment criteria receive a certificate of completion. It is not a university credit or an accredited qualification.

Can my institution book a private course?

Yes. Any course can be adapted for a department or team. Use the institutional request form.

What language are courses taught in?

Each course page states its language. Most are planned in Arabic or English, depending on the cohort.

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