Research Methodology I.

Research Methodology I. (Full-time and Correspondence Programs)

Thesis and Research Methodology Knowledge Module
Course name: Diploma I. (Fundamentals of research methodology)
Course coordinator: Dr. Roland Keszi
Course coordinator’s academic degree: PhD.
Course coordinator’s accreditation status (per the Hungarian Accreditation Committee, MAB): AT

Course objective:

The main aim of the course is to introduce students to the methodology of social research and to acquaint them with some of the principles needed to understand empirical research. The course provides an insight into the principles of critical thinking from a researcher perspective. During the semester, students will also acquire knowledge of some basic empirical social research methods.

Learning outcomes and competences:

Knowledge:

  • The students have knowledge of the main theories, basic concepts and processes of research methodology.
  • Students have the potential for adapting research principles to special educational needs and are also familiar with current research findings.

Skills:

  • The students have ability to apply knowledge of research methodology in an adaptive way according to the specific disability groups.
  • Students understand actual processes and challenges in society, particularly in the educational environment, and choose methods and interventions that reflect to these.

Attitude:

  • Students strive to develop self- and peer-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-reflexivity (also) in their work as a special educator.
  • Students are aware of and committed to the educational and pedagogical goals of the pedagogy of people with disabilities. They see social processes and approaches to people with disabilities in their context and via this knowledge reflect on the problems of the present.

Autonomy and responsibility:

  • In this 1st segment of the four-semester complex subject autonomy and responsibility is being founded first of all by introduction into autonomous critical thinking and into colorful methodological culture.

Course content:

Main content and topics:

  • Resource management, resource authenticity. Literature (where to look, how; use of magazines and books); what counts as literature and what does not? Library usage, point of view.
  • Identification and recording of phenomena to be investigated. Text reading and comprehension, text analysis and writing.
  • Transferring an evidence-based approach closely linked to special education practice.
  • Applied research. How to ask? Fundamentals of research ethics. Content and process of operationalization.
  • Data entry, formulas and basic calculations in Excel, T-test, etc.
  • Researcher reading. Problem – hypothesis – method. The concept of exploratory research (pilot study).
  • The concept of quantitative and qualitative research.
  • Delimitation of the topic, in time, space, thematically.
  • Problem – hypothesis – method.
  • The interview. The questionnaire.
  • Creating and editing tables.
  • When can we calculate a percentage and why? Correlation. Validity.
  • Sampling (stratified, representative, etc.).
  • Scale types; dependent and independent variables; distribution of values. The normal distribution; means: mean, median, mode.
  • Stochastic equality (direct comparison of two groups without means). Hypothesis testing; pattern and population. Statistical inference and possible errors.
  • Significance; the power of trials; effect size.
  • The one-sample t-test; the sign test. Comparison of means and medians;
    the two-sample t-test. Correlation (and univariate regression).
  • Simultaneous comparison of several groups: analysis of variance.
  • Cohesive pattern arrangements; the chi-square test.

Assessment and grading system:

The course concludes with a written exam in the form of true-false questions, multiple choice questions and brief essay questions. Percentage rating of the total result achieved: 0-51% insufficient, 51-60% sufficient, 61-80% medium, 81-90% good, 91-100% outstanding.

Required reading for courses delivered in a foreign language:

  1. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2000). Handbook of Qualitative Research. Sage.
  1. Rubin, A., & Babbie, E. (1997). Research Methods for Social Work. Brooks/Cole Publishing Company.

Further required reading is part of every course syllabus.