Research Philosophy and Research Methods

• Understand research terminology
• Understand the basic framework of the research process.
• Understand the different research theories and thinkers
• Understand the different research methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative methods.
• Understand various research designs and techniques.

• Develop research literature and the State of the Art on a topic.
• Develop main key knowledge gaps and define the main research domain
• Develop adequate problem formulation for a research project
• Develop adequate research questions for a research project
• Develop and structure a research proposal for a bachelor’s thesis project
• Develop an understanding of the basic framework of the research process.
• Identify various sources of information for the literature review.

• Propose a research thesis and justify the theory as well as the methodological decisions
• Elaborate, plan, conduct, evaluate and present a research project proposal.
• Construct an effective research proposal that will serve as the launching point for the final Bachelor thesis.
• Be able to construct an effective research proposal and justify the theories as well as the methodological decisions

This course is an introductory course that prepares the student to do and develop a research proposal using a variety of research methods. Basic issues regarding the formulation of research questions, research design, and data collection and analysis are addressed.

The course material encompasses both quantitative and qualitative methods in the discussion of the basic components of the research process. In addition to teaching techniques and conventions of doing research, the course also acquaints the student with critical issues in the philosophy of science, ethical questions, and how to prepare a research proposal.