research topic

1. Introduction to Practical
Research 1
Welcome to the journey of discovery. This course will equip you
with essential research skills needed for academic and professional
success, combining theoretical foundations with hands-on
applications.

2. Research Ethics and Integrity
1
Informed Consent
Ensuring participants
understand the research
purpose, risks, and benefits
before agreeing to participate.
Vulnerable populations require
additional safeguards.
2
Data Privacy
Maintaining confidentiality of
participant information through
anonymisation, secure storage,
and limited access to sensitive
data.
3
Avoiding Misconduct
Preventing fabrication,
falsification, and plagiarism
through transparent
methodology and proper
citation practices.
The foundation of credible research lies in ethical conduct that respects participants and upholds academic integrity.

3. Quantitative vs Qualitative
Research
Quantitative
Research
• Numerical data and
statistical analysis
• Large sample sizes for
generalisability
• Structured instruments
(surveys, experiments)
• Tests hypotheses and
establishes correlations
Qualitative Research
• Textual or visual data with
thematic analysis
• Smaller, purposeful samples
for depth
• Flexible instruments
(interviews, observations)
• Explores meanings and
lived experiences

4. Literature Review: Synthesising Existing
Knowledge
Identify Sources
Locate relevant journals, books,
and academic databases. Use
Boolean operators and citation
chaining to expand search.
Evaluate Quality
Assess credibility using CRAAP
test: Currency, Relevance,
Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.
Synthesise Findings
Identify patterns, contradictions,
and gaps. Organise thematically
rather than summarising
individual sources.

5. Research Problem Formulation
A well-crafted research question is specific, measurable,
achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
Problem Statement
Clear articulation of the issue,
its significance, and the
knowledge gap to be
addressed.
Research Questions
Focused inquiries that guide
your investigation, neither too
broad nor too narrow.
Objectives
Specific, measurable outcomes that your research aims to accomplish.

6. Research Design: Developing Your Framework
Purpose
Exploratory, descriptive,
explanatory, or evaluative research
aims
Timeframe
Cross-sectional (single point) or
longitudinal (over time) data
collection
Method
Experimental, quasi-experimental,
or non-experimental approaches
Sampling
Probability or non-probability
techniques to select participants
Your research design should align with your research questions and available resources.

7. Data Collection Techniques
Primary Data Sources
• Surveys and questionnaires
• Interviews (structured to
unstructured)
• Focus groups and
observations
• Experiments and field studies
Secondary Data
Sources
• Existing datasets and archives
• Government reports and
statistics
• Published research and
case studies
• Historical records and
documents

8. Data Analysis: Making Sense of Findings
Quantitative Analysis
Descriptive statistics (mean, median, mode) and
inferential tests (t-tests, ANOVA, regression) to identify
patterns and relationships. Software tools include SPSS,
R, and Excel.
Qualitative Analysis
Coding, thematic analysis, and narrative interpretation to
uncover meanings and experiences. Software tools
include NVivo, Atlas.ti, and manual coding systems.

9. Presenting Research Results
Written Reports
Formal documents with abstract,
introduction, methodology,
results, discussion, and
conclusion. Use APA, MLA, or
Harvard referencing consistently.
Visual Presentations
Slides with key points, relevant
visuals, and minimal text.
Structure around a narrative that
guides audience through
findings.
Academic Posters
Single-page visual summaries for
conferences. Include clear
headings, concise text, and eye-
catching graphics that
communicate main findings.

10. Practical Applications and Next Steps
1
Impact
Real-world change
2
Implementation
Applying findings
3
Recommendations
Suggested actions
4
Future Research
Identified knowledge gaps
Practical Research 2 will build on these foundations, focusing on applied methods and complex analysis techniques for your capstone project.
Questions? Contact: research.support@university.ac.uk