Understanding Research Methods from Coursera

This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage.

The course will appeal to those of you who require an understanding of research approaches and skills, and importantly an ability to deploy them in your studies or in your professional lives. In particular, this course will aid those of you who have to conduct research as part of your postgraduate studies but do not perhaps have access to research methods courses, or for those of you who feel you would like additional support for self-improvement. No prior knowledge or experience in research is required to take this course and as such, the course is for everyone.

This MOOC draws on a wealth of existing course material developed to support research training across SOAS, University of London and particularly drawing from the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD). In 2015, the course was nominated for the prestigious Guardian University Award for its innovative approach to online learning.

Participation in or completion of this online course will not confer academic credit for University of London programmes

What's inside

Syllabus

E-tivity 1: What Is Research and What Makes a Good Research Question?

PURPOSE: To focus upon formulating a research question. TASK: Please compose a brief question pertaining to your proposed research - whatever the subject - and post it under the 'My Project' tab in the peer review exercise below. Be brief insofar as it would fit on one metaphorical or literal 'Post-It' note. Also watch our interview videos below. RESPONSE: Having reflected on the videos, review other students' questions. Feeding back is an important part of the research process, so please spend some time providing considered feedback for three or more colleagues here. OUTCOME: You will have given considered thought to composing a research question and provided feedback to others on theirs.

E-tivity 2: What Is a Literature Review and Why Do We Need to Do One?

PURPOSE: To familiarise yourself with the nature and benefits of conducting a literature review. TASK: Please read the following three pieces on literature review, in conjunction with the interviews below. Then post your thoughts on one of the readings to the 'My Project' tab of the peer review (200 words). RESPONSE: Provide feedback on three or more submissions by your fellow students. OUTCOME: Upon the completion of the full cycle of this e-tivity, you will be able to distinguish the qualities of a literature review and begin to reflect on the value of a literature review to your own project.

E-tivity 3: Why Are Planning and Management Skills Important for Research?

PURPOSE: To be aware of the planning and management skills that are required in undertaking critical thinking for your research. TASK: Please watch the videos below, and also read the chapter provided. In conjunction with your reflections on the learning material provided and also research planning and management in general, please post your thoughts on the chapter, in no more than 400 words, under the 'My Project' tab. RESPONSE: Provide feedback on three or more submissions by your fellow students. OUTCOME: Upon the completion of the full cycle of this e-tivity, you will have reflected on the skills required to enhance your research.

E-tivity 4: How Do You Know You Have Been a Good Researcher at the End of a Project?

PURPOSE: To reflect upon the value of a good question, and provide an outline research proposal. TASK: In conjunction with our videos below, please go back to your research question proposed during E-tivity 1 and consider again whether you are still happy with it. Is the question one you are still interested in and one you think worthy of devoting your time and energy to? If so, after reflecting on your question, please compose an outline plan on how you would follow on from establishing your research question. Please submit your proposal, up to 800 words. RESPONSE: Provide feedback on three or more proposals submitted by your fellow students. OUTCOME: Upon the completion of the full cycle of this e-tivity, you will have formulated, in draft form, an overarching research question, and a plan of action to complete the research. In doing this, you will have honed your writing, research and analytical skills.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a solid foundation for postgraduate students in research skills

Taught by instructors from the research-intensive SOAS, University of London

Suitable for those with no prior knowledge or experience in research

Focuses on the practical aspects of research, including planning, management, and evaluation

Requires active participation and interaction with peers through discussion and peer review exercises

Completion does not confer academic credit for University of London programs

Reviews summary

Research foundations

Learners say "Understanding Research Methods" is a research foundations course that has given them the tools to approach research with a professional voice. Especially helpful are the lectures, interviews with researchers, assignments, and certificate. This is a well received course for students new to research. According to students, you will learn: * The importance and uses of literature reviews * Framing a research question * Ethical considerations in research * The differences between qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches * Collecting, interpreting, and presenting research data

The course was very informative. The videos and literature provided were very helpful. In addition the peer review activity helped me strengthen my knowledge more. Definitely this course has enhanced my knowledge on the research methods and I feel more confident in conducting the research.

"The course was very informative."

"The videos and literature provided were very helpful."

"In addition the peer review activity helped me strengthen my knowledge more."

"Definitely this course has enhanced my knowledge on the research methods and I feel more confident in conducting the research. "

I highly recommend taking this course because it will help you in the future when working on your PhD in your chosen university. This course will teach you everything that you need to know about Research and will include pdfs that are excerpts from books about Research, which I highly recommend to download to use as a reference in the future.

"I highly recommend taking this course because it will help you in the future when working on your PhD in your chosen university."

"This course will teach you everything that you need to know about Research and will include pdfs that are excerpts from books about Research, which I highly recommend to download to use as a reference in the future."

This course has helped me a lot to get the correct insight of what research methodology is, how to pose a research question and hot to know to be a good researcher. It was pleasant to listen top notch exemplars and to learn them from their experiences. The activities were also beneficial to flourish in writing and assessing skills.

"This course has helped me a lot to get the correct insight of what research methodology is, how to pose a research question and hot to know to be a good researcher."

"It was pleasant to listen top notch exemplars and to learn them from their experiences."

"The activities were also beneficial to flourish in writing and assessing skills. "

I recently completed a course on Coursera and found the content and platform to be excellent. However, my completion certificate displayed "Coursera Learner" instead of my name. Despite checking my profile settings, the issue persists. I hope Coursera addresses this promptly for a more personalized learning experience.

"I recently completed a course on Coursera and found the content and platform to be excellent."

"Despite checking my profile settings, the issue persists. I hope Coursera addresses this promptly for a more personalized learning experience."

what a great way to learn about a topic that is useful both for professional reasons and for self-improvement. I enjoyed the video portion of this course where professionals are discussing the variety of ways to learn about research and it's importance.

"what a great way to learn about a topic that is useful both for professional reasons and for self-improvement."

"I enjoyed the video portion of this course where professionals are discussing the variety of ways to learn about research and it's importance."

Etivity 3 particularly helped me in the ways of starting and organizing a research.it is going so well for me from now, with all of the topics and required reading doing a great job in making an actual usefulness, a small example on an actual research was to be seen useful, in order to teach everyone how to make the best paper and what are the practical steps in organizing our knowledge and readings in the paper itself.

"Etivity 3 particularly helped me in the ways of starting and organizing a research."

"it is going so well for me from now, with all of the topics and required reading doing a great job in making an actual usefulness, a small example on an actual research was to be seen useful, in order to teach everyone how to make the best paper and what are the practical steps in organizing our knowledge and readings in the paper itself."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding Research Methods with these activities:

Review Research Methods

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Reinforce your understanding of research methods to strengthen your comprehension of the course material.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Go through your notes from previous research methods courses.
Review key concepts and theories related to research design, data collection, and analysis.
Take practice quizzes or mock exams to test your understanding.

Review your notes from previous research methods courses

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Reviewing your notes will help you to refresh your memory and to identify areas where you need additional support.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Gather your notes from previous research methods courses
Review your notes
Identify areas where you need additional support

Utilize Online Resources

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Supplement your learning by exploring online tutorials and resources to reinforce your understanding.

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Identify reputable websites and platforms offering tutorials on research methods.
Watch videos, read articles, or complete interactive exercises to enhance your knowledge.

11 other activities

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Complete the Coursera course on 'Research Methods for Beginners'

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This course will provide you with a solid foundation in research methods, which will be essential for your success in this course.

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Watch the video lectures
Complete the quizzes and exercises
Participate in the discussion forums

Create a research notebook

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A research notebook can be a valuable tool for organizing your research and keeping track of your progress.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Purchase a notebook
Set up your notebook
Use your notebook to record your research ideas, data, and analysis

Review "Research Methods in Social Science Research" by Steven Thomas

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This book encompasses the processes that underpin research in social science and the nuances involved, so reading it will enhance your understanding of foundational concepts in research.

View Science Wars on Amazon

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Read each chapter in order
Take notes on key concepts and arguments
Reflect on how the concepts apply to your research interests

Complete the practice exercises in the textbook

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Completing the practice exercises will help you to reinforce your understanding of the material.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Read the chapter
Complete the practice exercises
Check your answers

Join a Study Group

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Engage in discussions and feedback sessions with peers to deepen your understanding and identify areas for improvement.

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Connect with classmates through online forums or social media.
Form a study group with 2-4 individuals.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, solve problems, and share insights.

Join a study group with other students in this course

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Working with other students can help you to learn the material more effectively and to identify areas where you need additional support.

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Find a study group or create your own
Meet regularly to discuss the course material
Work together on assignments and projects

Write a research proposal for your final project

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Writing a research proposal will help you to develop a clear and concise plan for your research project.

Browse courses on Research Proposal

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Choose a research topic
Develop a research question
Write a literature review
Develop a research methodology
Write a proposal

Conduct a Literature Review

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Apply your research skills by conducting a comprehensive literature review to enhance your understanding of the field.

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Identify a research topic of interest.
Search and gather relevant学术文献.
Critically analyze andsynthesize the findings.
Write a summary or report of your review.

Create a presentation on a research topic

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Creating a presentation will help you to develop your communication skills and to deepen your understanding of the material.

Browse courses on Research Methods

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Choose a research topic
Develop a presentation outline
Create a presentation
Practice your presentation
Deliver your presentation

Develop a Research Proposal

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Solidify your comprehension by formulating a detailed research proposal that outlines your research question, methodology, and expected outcomes.

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Define your research question and objectives.
Identify and review relevant literature.
Develop a research methodology and plan.
Write a comprehensive proposal outlining your research design and rationale.

Conduct a Small-Scale Research Project

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Apply your research skills in a practical setting by conducting a small-scale research project, allowing you to test your methods and gain hands-on experience.

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Identify a research topic and formulate a hypothesis.
Design a research method and collect data.
Analyze the data and interpret the results.
Write a research report presenting your findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding Research Methods will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Research Analyst

Research Analysts conduct research, compile and analyze data, and write reports to help organizations make informed decisions and solve problems. This course may be useful for Research Analysts who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to formulate research questions, conduct literature reviews, and plan and manage research projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

Market Researcher

Market Researchers conduct research to understand consumer behavior, market trends, and the effectiveness of marketing campaigns. This course may be useful for Market Researchers who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to formulate research questions, conduct literature reviews, and plan and manage research projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to build models and make predictions, helping organizations make informed decisions and solve problems. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to analyze data and draw conclusions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

Business Analysts analyze business processes, identify areas for improvement, and develop solutions to help organizations achieve their goals. This course may be useful for Business Analysts who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to analyze data, conduct research, and make recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Consultant

Consultants provide expert advice and support to organizations to help them solve problems and achieve their goals. This course may be useful for Consultants who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to analyze data, conduct research, and make recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

User Experience Researcher

User Experience Researchers conduct research to understand user needs and behaviors to help design and develop better products and services. This course may be useful for User Experience Researchers who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to formulate research questions, conduct user studies, and analyze data.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Researcher

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for defining, developing, and launching new products and services. This course may be useful for Product Managers who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to understand customer needs, conduct market research, and make data-driven decisions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Project Manager

Project Managers plan, execute, and manage projects to ensure they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality. This course may be useful for Project Managers who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to define project goals, develop project plans, and manage project risks.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts research and analyze policy issues to help governments and organizations develop and implement effective policies. This course may be useful for Policy Analysts who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to understand policy issues, conduct research, and make recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Research Associate

Research Associates conduct research and assist with research projects under the supervision of a senior researcher. This course may be useful for Research Associates who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to conduct research, analyze data, and write research reports.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Associate

Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome social and economic challenges and improve their well-being. This course may be useful for Social Workers who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to understand social issues, conduct research, and develop evidence-based interventions.

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Teacher

Teachers plan, deliver, and assess instruction to help students learn and grow. This course may be useful for Teachers who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to understand educational issues, conduct research, and develop effective teaching methods.

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Journalist

Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. This course may be useful for Journalists who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to gather information, conduct interviews, and write clear and concise news stories.

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Lawyer

Lawyers advise clients on legal matters, represent them in court, and help them resolve disputes. This course may be useful for Lawyers who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to research legal issues, analyze evidence, and make persuasive arguments.

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Doctor

Doctors diagnose and treat diseases and injuries, and provide preventive care to patients. This course may be useful for Doctors who want to build a foundation in research methods and improve their ability to understand medical research, conduct clinical trials, and develop new treatments.

See salaries and explore the career path for Doctor