Certificate in Research Methods and Skills

The MSM Research Methods and Skills (RMS) course helps participants in the preparation of a research proposal. Divided over three modules, a series of short instructive videos explain the key elements of a research proposal and the basics of research methodology. Short instructive videos, course literature, individual assignments, virtual classes, group chat opportunities, and individual feedback from the lecturer will prepare participants for the fourth module in which you will write a research proposal. The defense of the research proposal for a committee of lecturers is the final test in the course.

Module 1: Research Proposal

This module introduces participants to the world of academic research. The focus is on the various stages of the empirical research cycle, highlighting the prominent role theory plays in guiding research. The module helps you to formulate your research question and conceptualize your research interest by drawing on the relevant academic literature.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Identify a research topic that is empirically feasible and theoretically defensible
• Draft a solid literature review to conceptualize the research topic
• Formulate a clear research question(s)
• Design a research strategy to address the research questions
• Understanding what constitutes good research allows a critical assessment of scholarly work

Module 2: Qualitative research: data collection and analysis

This module introduces you to the characteristics of and approaches to designing and conducting qualitative research projects. A series of short videos explain the key elements of a selection of qualitative research methods. Each video will make references to documents for further self-study. In the third week participants work individually on an assignment comprising the design of qualitative research, which will be discussed in the virtual class at the end of the module.

At the end of this module, you will:

• Be familiar with the characteristics and logic of various qualitative research methods
• Know the strengths and weaknesses of these methods
• Operationalize your conceptual model into items to be used in interview questionnaires
• Be able to design a basic qualitative research study
• Understand how to prepare quantitative data for analysis
• Understand which methods can be used to analyze qualitative data
• Have basic knowledge of the value of (software) tools for qualitative data analysis
• Assess issues relating to the reliability and validity of empirical findings

Module 3: Quantitative research: data collection and analysis

The first week aims to provide you with a brief introduction to two methods of data collection: the survey and the use of existing data sets. In quantitative research approaches, students may want to collect new data among specific populations that fit their research question. Alternatively, students may be professionally employed in organizations and have access to interesting databases of these organizations. This module explains for both the survey and existing data sets the route ahead as well as the main challenges in data collection and data preparation.

The second week introduces the most common statistical methods for conducting advanced-level quantitative data analysis. The videos explain how to select the proper statistical techniques for testing specific research hypotheses and conceptual models and assessing the reliability and validity of their findings.

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Know the strengths and weaknesses of survey research
• Know the benefits and limitations of using existing databases
• Operationalize your conceptual model into items with the help of a data table
• Sample respondents
• Understand the different methods that can be used to collect the survey data (e.g. face-to-face, telephone, web-based)
• Understand how to prepare quantitative data for analysis
• Understand different statistical methods and when they can be applied
• Understand how to quantitatively test a conceptual model and research hypotheses
• Assess issues relating to the reliability and validity of empirical findings

Module 4: Preparing the research proposal

During this final module, you will work on your research proposal and apply the knowledge gained in the earlier modules in the writing of your research proposal.

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the process of research, learning how to move from an initial research idea to designing a solid study to empirically examine the phenomenon of interest
• Learn about the main qualitative and quantitative research approaches and learn how to apply them
• Learn by putting theory into practice during individual assignments
• Receive coaching on your assignments and research proposal from experienced lecturers
• Prepare a research proposal that can be used to apply for a PhD program
• Design a research project for your organization.

Teaching methods

• Instructive videos by the lecturer
• Course literature
• Individual assignments
• Individual feedback
• Group chat opportunities
• Virtual (feedback) classes