Understanding Research Methods

This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging exercises befitting SOAS, University of London’s status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage.

The course will appeal to those of you who require an understanding of research approaches and skills, and importantly an ability to deploy them in your studies or in your professional lives. In particular, this course will aid those of you who have to conduct research as part of your postgraduate studies but do not perhaps have access to research methods courses, or for those of you who feel you would like additional support for self-improvement. There is no expectation that you already have a research topic or project in mind when you begin the course. No prior knowledge or experience in research is required to take this course and as such, the course is for everyone.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the diverse ways research is defined and practiced across disciplines and experiences.
• Recognise the importance of asking a focused, significant research question.
• Reflect on your own interests and begin to formulate an initial research question.

This course has 4 modules:

1. What is research and what makes a good research question.
2. What is a literature review and why do we need to do one?
3. Why are planning and management skills important for research?
4. How do you know you have been a good researcher at the end of a project?

This course is available in 22 languages: English (Original), Deutsch (Auto), हिन्दी (ऑटो), Русский (авто), Svenska (auto), 한국어 (자동), Ελληνικά (αυτόματο), Português (Brasil) (auto), Italiano (auto), Français (aut.), Magyar (automata), Español (auto), 中文（简体） (自动), العربية (آلي), ไทย (อัตโนมัติ), Українська (авто), 日本語 (オート), Azərbaycan dili (avto), Bahasa Indonesia (otomatis), Polski (automatyczny), Nederlands (auto), Türkçe (otomatik), Қазақша (автоматтық)

*Take advantage of the 7-day free trail, apply for financial aid or pay the course fee.

*Access to this course requires the user to register or create an account on the course platform.