ST.
AUGUSTINE UNIVERSITY OF TANZANIA
Faculty of Engineering
Department of Civil Engineering/Electrical Engineering
COURSE NAME: Research Methods
COURSE CODE: CE 328
LEVEL: Bachelor degree
CONTACT HRS: Thursday 0745 – 1045 hrs
VENUE: B1
INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Johnson Mavole
CONSULTATION HRS: Thursdays (0800hrs– 1300hrs) Mobile: 0744076291.
Email:
[email protected]/
[email protected]OFFICE: Academic block Right wing 3rd Floor, office 5&6G
A. Course description
This course provides the knowledge, skills, and protocols to generate and undertake basic
research in Engineering. Basically, it will introduce the study topic and title, study background,
statement of the problem, study objectives and research questions, significance of the study,
study methodology (including types of research design, research approach, data collection
techniques, sampling techniques, data analysis techniques and interpretation, research process
and ethical procedures). At the end of the course, students will be expected to produce a major
research paper focused on the practical needs of related to their program as a way of grounding
themselves to the larger professional community in the Engineering world.
B. Course purpose
This course purposes to enable students to acquire the necessary skills to carry out basic research
in the field of Engineering
C. Objectives
At the end of this course, students are expected to understand the following:-
i) To understand different types of research, their characteristics and application
ii) To understand the strategies needed to formulate and conceptualize the statement of the
problem to intervene in engineering problem solving
iii) To apply different methods of data collection, analyzing data and giving meaning to data
in Engineering
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iv) To understand the process of carrying out scientific research in Engineering
D. Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, students are expected to have developed the following skills,
knowledge and competencies:-
a) To use research knowledge in describing types of research designs
b) To use research knowledge in describing the chosen research design
c) To employ research skills in developing research proposals
d) To apply concepts and principles of sampling procedures in selecting units of inquiry
e) To apply data collection methods in records and baseline surveys
f) To apply statistical techniques in analysis and interpretation of research data
g) To use presentation techniques in presenting, communicating and interpretation of
research findings
h) To employ research evaluation skills to evaluate research findings
Course status: Core
Credit rating: 6 credits
Total hours spent: 60 hours
E. Course Contents
Topic 1: Introduction to basic research
Defining research
Objectives of the research
Purpose and significance of research
Types of research
Research methods versus research methodology
Research process
Topic 2: Formulation of research problem
Identification of research problem and study background
Criteria for selecting research problem
Conceptual framework
Research variables
Research objectives and hypothesis (how to state research hypothesis)
Topic 3: Literature review
Why literature review
Empirical review
Theoretical literature review
Sourcing for literature review
Identifying literature gaps
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Topic 4: Research methodology
Research designs and their classification
Research approaches, methodology
Data collection methods/techniques and tools
Study population and target population
Sampling techniques and procedures
Sampling frame and sample size
Types and sources of data
Topic 5: Data collection, processing and analysis
Scientific data collection procedures
Data cleaning and editing
Data coding
Data analysis
Role of statistics in data analysis
Qualitative and quantitative data analysis
Topic 6: Data interpretation
Basic concepts in hypothesis testing
Hypothesis testing
Data interpretation
Validity and reliability
Writing research report
Writing research references
F. Teaching and Learning Activities
Lectures, Seminars presentations, in-class assignments field visits, Guest speakers, Videos and
brainstorming discussions
G. Assessment Methods
Assignments, presentations, semester papers
Testing and Grading
Course work (total marks) 40%
Individual assignment 10%
Group assignment 10%
Test 15%
Quiz 5%
Final Examination 60%
Total 100%
H. Recommended Sources
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Kothari, C., R. and Garg, G. (2019) Research methodology: Methods and Techniques. Fourth
Edition. New age international publishers. London, New Delhi, Nairobi. ISBN 978-93-
86649-22-5
Mugenda, O, M. and Mugenda A., G. (2019) Research Methods: Quantitative, Qualitative and
mixed methods approaches. Third edition. Centre for Innovative Leadership and
Governance (CLIG), Nairobi, Kenya. ISBN 9966-41-107-0
Palys, T., & Atchison, C. (2014). Research decisions: Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed
methods approaches (5th ed.). Toronto, Canada: Nelson Education.
Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods: Integrating theory and
practice (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Krippendorff, K. (2004). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (2nd ed.).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Anderson, T., & Shattuck, J. (2012). Design-Based Research: A Decade of Progress in
Education Research? Educational Researcher, 41(1), 16-25.
http://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X11428813
Anderson, T. (2013). Research paradigms: Ontologies, epistemologies, and methods.
Booth, W, C, Colombo, G, G. and Williams, J, M. (2005) The Craft of research. Chicago. The
University of Chicago Press.
De Vaus, D.A. (2001) Research design in Social Research. London. Sage publication
Kirk, J. and Miller, K.L. (2006) Reliability and Validity of qualitative research. Beverly Hills:
CA: Sage Publications
I.Readings List
Creswell, J. W. (2008) Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative
and Qualitative Research. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education
Creswell, J.W. and Plano C, V. (2007) Designing and Conducting mixed methods Research.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Organizational Research Methods, 12(4), 801-804
Sekaran, U. (2001) Research Methods: A Skill Building Approach
Cooper, D, R. and Schindler, P, S. (2010) Business Research Methods
Bailey, K.D. (2004) Methods of Social Research, 4th Edition. London. The free press
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