Research Methodology

AW_INT_RM

This course is aiming to provide a systematic introduction to research methodology, including:

• what science and scientific research are aiming at,
• the general structure of the research process,
• how to search and review scientific literature,
• how to formulate a research problem,
• how to identify variables and hypotheses,
• what a research design is,
• how to select a study design,
• what kinds of data collection methods exist,
• which kinds of scales for data exist,
• how a sample is selected.

On completion of this module students should be able to

• understand different research methodologies, research designs and research processes (1)
• understand quantitative and qualitative research methods (1)
• understand how to develop research questions/hypotheses (2)
• understand how to write a literature review (2)
• conduct their own research (3)

• Kumar, Ranjit. Research Methodology: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners. Los Angeles: SAGE, 2011.
• Bryman, Alan. Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press. Edition 4. 2012.

• The course is part of the Foreign Language Certificate English as well as the "Soft Skills" certificate and can be credited twice. The course is also open for the ZGK.
• The course is part of the interdisciplinary module I3 ("International Research Methodology and Communication - IRMC") for the master degree "Electrical and Microsystems Engineering".