Research Methods      – 3 UNITS

Course Purpose

This course is aimed to help the learner develop knowledge and skills in the conduct of research involving topics in Educational Leadership and Innovation, Leadership and resource management.

Course Expected Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the course, the students are expected to:

i) Understand and apply research methods , including research

design, data analysis, and interpretation.

ii) Formulate testable research hypotheses that can be validated.

iii) Demonstrate the difference between research design from measurement design.

iv) Design and conduct quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research studies, using a

variety of techniques.

v) Adhere to ethical guidelines for the collection, storage, and use of data from human

participants.

vi) Evaluate the appropriateness of research conclusions and their generalizability.

Course Content

The course examines major paradigms in research, research concepts, and the relationship

between theory, hypotheses and scientific methods of enquiry, the steps in the research process,

including statement of the problem, formulation of hypotheses, research design, measurement

design, data collection, quantitative and qualitative data analysis and generalization. To be

discussed are components of a good proposal, literature review, research designs, target

population, samples and sampling strategies, data collection procedures and finally, writing

of the thesis. Also to be discussed are ways of assessing threats to the internal and external

validity of the studies.

Core Texts

1. Creswell, J.W. & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative,

and Mixed Methods Approach. Sage Publishing Inc.

2. Merriam S. B. & Tisdell E. J. (2016). Qualitative Research: A Guide to Design and

Implementation. Jossey Bass Publishing.

3. Lodico, M.G. (2006). Methods in Educational Research: From Theory to Practice.

Jossey-Bass Pub.

4. Ogula, P. A. (1998). Handbook on Educational Research, Nairobi: New Kermit

Publishers.

Other Texts

1. Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods. (4 th Edition) Sage

2. Keith, P. (2014). Introduction to Social Research: Quantitative & Qualitative

approaches. (3rd Edition) Sage Publications.