Understanding Research Methods

Understanding Research Methods

This topic provides a comprehensive foundation in research methods and methodology for empirical social science. Learners will explore the three primary types of research—exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory—and understand their distinct purposes. The module covers the importance of research design in ensuring valid and reliable scientific conclusions, methods for classifying research approaches, and the characteristics of inductive and deductive reasoning. Students will examine internal and external validity, identify potential biases and confounding variables, and understand key principles of ethical scientific conduct including proper citation, data protection, and peer review. The topic also distinguishes between research design, methodology, and method, and illustrates how surveys and observational methods are applied across different research types.