Course Overview
Leads through the main components of a research project. In the period of a semester, you choose a research topic or question, review the literature about the chosen topic, further refine the research question, design a survey instrument, administer the survey, analyze the collected data and report your finding. Promotes survey research methods to accommodate the limited time-frame. If the research project is unsuitable to survey methods, provides guidance in alternative research methods. Course modules must be completed sequentially so that the research project evolves in a logical fashion.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
- Retired
- This course has been retired and is no longer offered. Find other Flexible Learning courses that may interest you.
Learning Outcomes
When you have completed this course you will have demonstrated that you can:
- Choose a research question.
- Seek sources of research topics.
- Tentatively select a research topic.
- Evaluate the quality of the question in regards to feasibility, usefulness, relevance and practicality.
- Consider the variables to be studied.
- Estimate the resources necessary to carry out the study including equipment and research subjects.
- Prepare a literature review.
- Search the library catalogue for relevant material.
- Access this material.
- Read and interpret the material.
- Keep records of relevant material.
- Write a literature review.
- Refine the research question.
- Rework the question.
- Become more familiar with the question.
- Make a causal modal based on the research question.
- Consider ethical issues.
- Define and utilize informed consent.
- Be aware of the responsibilities of a researcher.
- Design a measuring instrument.
- Develop items designed to measure the variables of your research question.
- Define validity and reliability.
- Consider random and systematic error.
- Be aware of several assumptions we make as researchers.
- Utilize a checklist to evaluate your survey questions.
- Prepare an introductory letter for a questionnaire.
- Format a questionnaire
- Administer a questionnaire.
- Define population, sample frame and sample.
- Select an appropriate sampling method.
- Generate a sample for your research project.
- Analyze the data.
- Code the data for computer entry.
- Maintain a code book.
- Check data entry for entry errors.
- Discuss table etiquette.
- Process the data from your returned surveys.
- Write the report.
- Utilize the processed data.
- Construct the appropriate sections of a research report.
Effective as of Fall 2003
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.