We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Nick Barter,
Christopher Stevenson,
Angela Victor,
Chris Rawson,
Jessica Cheung,
Matthew Clarke,
Michael Rose,
and
Georgie Lowe
Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts. Find out more This course is aimed at anyone interested in research. It may be of particular interest to people who are undertaking a research project related to their profession or area of study. You can use the hashtag #FLresearchmatters to talk about this course on social media.
Topics Covered
- The contribution of research to society
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/qf6ndr/why
Save this course
Create your own learning path.
Save this course to your list so you can find it easily later.
Save
Save
Reviews summary
Foundational course on research significance
According to learners, this course offers a broad overview of why research matters, providing a valuable conceptual understanding of its societal impact. While it is widely considered beginner-friendly and excellent for those new to research or looking to understand its broader context, some found it lacks practical application or specific methodological guidance. Students generally appreciate its focus on the contribution of research to society, making it a good starting point for professionals or students seeking to grasp the fundamental importance of research in their respective fields.
Emphasizes the 'why' of research rather than 'how-to' methodologies.
"I appreciated the philosophical discussions on research impact rather than just methods."
"It's more about the 'why' of research than the 'how-to', which suited my needs."
"I was looking for practical skills, but this course primarily covers the theoretical importance."
Explores research's impact relevant to professional and academic pursuits.
"It reinforced how crucial research is in my professional field."
"The course made me think about my own studies and how they contribute to broader knowledge."
"Understanding research's contribution to society is vital for my career development."
Well-suited for newcomers, but may be basic for those with prior experience.
"As someone new to research, this course was incredibly insightful and easy to follow."
"For a complete novice, it's a perfect starting point to appreciate research's role."
"I found some parts a bit too introductory given my background in research."
Provides a high-level, accessible introduction to research significance.
"I found it a great introduction to the importance of research, especially its societal contributions."
"It really helped me grasp the overarching reasons why research matters."
"This course offers a good starting point for anyone new to the world of research."
Activities
Coming soon
We're preparing activities for
Why Research Matters.
These are activities you can do either before, during, or after a course.
Career center
Learners who complete Why Research Matters will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/qf6ndr/why
Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research methods used in psychology, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It valuable resource for researchers and students in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of research methods used in education, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It valuable resource for researchers and students in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of research methods used in criminal justice, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It valuable resource for researchers and students in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of research methods used in economics, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It valuable resource for researchers and students in the field.
Provides a comprehensive overview of research methods used in business, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It valuable resource for researchers and students in the field.
(in French) provides a comprehensive overview of research methods used in the social sciences, including both qualitative and quantitative methods. It valuable resource for researchers and students in the French-speaking world.
(in Spanish) provides a comprehensive overview of qualitative research methods, including data collection and analysis techniques. It valuable resource for researchers and students in the Spanish-speaking world.
Foundational text for anyone beginning their research journey, offering a comprehensive guide to the entire research process, from formulating questions to presenting findings. It emphasizes critical thinking and effective communication, making it valuable for high school students transitioning to more rigorous academic work and essential for undergraduates. It serves as an excellent prerequisite text and a constant reference throughout one's academic and professional career.
Save
A cornerstone text in research methods, this book provides a detailed exploration of the three major approaches to research design. It is particularly useful for undergraduate and graduate students who need to understand the philosophical underpinnings and practical applications of different methodologies. is commonly used as a textbook in research methods courses and valuable reference tool for designing research projects.
Save
Offers a clear and systematic introduction to the research process, making it ideal for high school students and undergraduates new to research. It covers essential topics from formulating research questions to data analysis and writing proposals in a reader-friendly manner. This book is particularly helpful in providing foundational knowledge and can serve as a useful reference for beginners.
Known for its comprehensive coverage of both quantitative and qualitative methods and engaging writing style, this book is suitable for undergraduate and graduate students across social sciences. It includes practical examples and case studies to help readers understand and apply research concepts. is often used as a core textbook and provides broad coverage of research methodologies.
Offers a student-friendly introduction to quantitative research methods and basic statistics, using a detective theme to make the concepts relatable. It's appropriate for introductory level courses and provides a good foundation in quantitative techniques. This book is valuable for undergraduates seeking to understand the basics of quantitative research.
A detailed guide to the process of analyzing qualitative data, this book is an essential resource for graduate students and researchers engaged in qualitative studies. It provides various techniques and strategies for making sense of qualitative data. serves as a key reference for qualitative data analysis.
This practical guide breaks down the process of conducting a literature review into manageable steps. It is highly relevant for students at all levels who need to master the skill of reviewing existing literature effectively. provides valuable, step-by-step guidance essential for any research project.
Save
While not solely about research methods, this book offers practical, research-based advice on becoming a more productive academic writer. It addresses common challenges like procrastination and writer's block, skills crucial for completing research projects. is highly relevant for students and professionals aiming to improve their writing output.
Focuses on the fundamental rhetorical moves in academic writing, particularly how to engage with existing ideas and present one's own arguments. It is highly beneficial for high school and undergraduate students developing their academic voice and useful reference for structuring arguments in research papers.
A classic guide to writing style and grammar, this concise book provides fundamental principles for clear and effective writing. While not specific to research, strong writing skills are essential for communicating research findings. valuable basic reference for writers at all levels.
Provides easy-to-follow advice for students undertaking research projects, covering the entire process from start to finish. It's a practical guide suitable for undergraduate and potentially advanced high school students. It helps solidify an understanding of the research process through a step-by-step approach.
Offers a practical and accessible guide to qualitative research methods, bridging theory and practice. It includes exercises and insights valuable for students and practitioners. It provides a solid introduction to qualitative methodologies and useful toolkit for those employing these approaches.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the research process, from developing a research question to collecting and analyzing data. It valuable resource for students and researchers in all disciplines.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/qf6ndr/why
Share
Similar courses
Similar courses are unavailable at this time. Please try again later.
Time
6 hours
Via
FutureLearn
Institutions
Deakin University
Griffith University
Instructors
Nick Barter
Christopher Stevenson
Angela Victor
Chris Rawson
Jessica Cheung
Matthew Clarke
Michael Rose
Georgie Lowe
Our mission
OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.
Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.
Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.
Affiliate disclosure
We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.
Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.
Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.
© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser