ACCRA TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
BTECH MEDICAL LAB. SCIENCE
COURSE OUTLINE
Course Title RESEARCH METHODS
Course Code / Credits / Course Code: Credits: 2 Contact Hours: 2
Contact Hours MLB 318
Offer in Academic Year / 2023/2024 2nd Semester Level 300
Semester/Level
COURSE LECTURER Prof. Alice C. Mensah
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will enable the students to perform simple research study and analysis
COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module, the student should be able to:
1.0 Define and explain research
2.0 Describe the steps in the research process
3.0 Describe the need for the development of research objectives
4.0 Demonstrate Literature Search and Review
5.0 Formulate hypotheses
6.0 Discuss Data Collection methods and Analysis
7.0 Describe the steps involved in proposal and report writing.
WEEK COURSE CONTENT
1
2nd – 6th April Registration /Lectures
2 Introduction to Research
8th – 13th April - Define and explain research.
- Enumerate the characteristics, objectives and significance of
research
3 Introduction to Research
15th -20th April. - Distinguish between research methods and methodology
- Explain Scientific method
- Types of Research
4
22nd – 27th April Research Process
- Identify the varying reasons for conducting research
- Describe the steps in the research process
5
29th – 4th May Research Process
- Describe the steps in the research process.
- Use a case study in Biological Sciences to demonstrate the process
6
6th – 11th May Research Objectives
- Describe the need for the development of research objectives
- Differentiate between general and specific objectives with
examples.
7 - Formulate specific objectives using a case study
13th – 18th May Literature Search and Review
Midsem - Define and explain literature review
- Identify the various sources of literature
8
20th – 25th May Literature Search and Review
- Identify and describe the various types of literature review
- Describe the steps in literature review
9 Hypothesis
27th – 1st June - Explain hypothesis
- Mention the several important functions of hypothesis
-
10 Hypothesis
3rd – 8th June - Identify and describe the various kinds of hypothesis
- Hypothesis testing
11 Research Design
10th – 15th June. - Definition of Research Plan/Design
- Characteristics and forms of Research Design
- Describe the various research design in Biological Sciences
12
Data collection
17th – 22nd June
- Various methods of data collection
- Treatments and Replication
13
24th – 29th June.
Analysis of results
- Qualitative and Quantitative analysis
14 Proposal / Report Writing
1st – 6th July
- Guidelines to writing a scientific proposal
- Guidelines to writing a research Report
15
Proposal / Report Writing
8th – 13th July
- Guidelines to writing a scientific proposal
- Guidelines to writing a research Report
16, 17, 18 July –
Aug.
End of Semester Examination
15 th to 11th Aug.
COURSE DELIVERY METHODOLOGY
1. Introductory Lectures
2. Demonstrations
3. Presentations
COURSE ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment Method Description Weight
1. Continuous Assessment Assignments / Practical Report 10
Attendance 5
2. Mid Semester Exams Quiz 5
Mid Semester Written Exams 20
3. End of Semester 40%
Total Written Exams 60%
100%
Reading List
1 Kumekpor, T.K.B. (2002). Research methods and techniques of social research, Accra: Son
Life Press and Services.
2. Opoku, J .Y. (2005). A short guide to research writing in the social sciences and education.
Accra: Ghana University Press.
3. Osuala, E.C. (2005). Introduction to Research Methodology (3rd ed.). Enugu: Africana
First Publishers Limited.
4. Uwe Flick (2011) Introduction to Research Methodology – Rowohlt Verlag Gmbh,
Hamburg.
