This course provides doctoral students with foundational knowledge and critical skills in research design, methodology, and ethical inquiry, preparing them to conduct independent and rigorous academic research.
This is a core doctoral-level course designed to equip PhD candidates with the essential tools for developing and conducting high-quality academic research. The course explores a variety of research paradigms, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches, and emphasizes the theoretical foundations that guide methodological choices. Students will learn to formulate research questions, design appropriate studies, select data collection and analysis techniques, and critically engage with methodological literature. The course also covers key issues such as research ethics, validity and reliability, and the role of reflexivity in the research process. By the end of the course, students will be able to construct a well-justified research proposal suitable for doctoral-level inquiry.
Critically evaluate a range of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, identifying their strengths, limitations, and suitability for addressing complex research questions in your discipline.
Design a coherent research proposal that includes well-defined research questions, appropriate methodological frameworks, and ethical considerations aligned with doctoral-level research standards.
Demonstrate advanced skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation, and communicate research findings effectively in academic formats suitable for publication or conference presentation.
Requirements:
• active participation in the classes
• reading the assignments, completing the task sheets and preparing your own questions for the class
• completing the following assignments for final course evaluation
1. Test on the usage of SPSS. Date to be negotiated with students.
2. A write-up of a proposal for the pilot study to be conducted in the spring term. Length: 1,500-2,000 words. Deadline: to be negotiated with students.
In order to complete the semester both parts need to be completed in a satisfactory way.
To be discussed in class.
This course is largely based on group work.
Transcript of records
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
