CUR /F001

MACHAKOS UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

Course Syllabus

Semester: September-December 2021

Course: SST303 (Title) Research Methodology

Credit Hours 3

Class Meetings: Wednesday 10:00-1:00pm

Lecturer’s Title Name: JUSTIN KYALO

Lecturer’s Contact:
Mobile: 0722-461-624 Email: [email protected]
Consultation Time: By Appointment, whenever feasible

COURSE PURPOSE
This unit intends to impart students with research knowledge and skills to enable them conduct
discipline-specific studies whose outcome positively impacts the society.

COURSE CONTENT
Introduction to research. Research problem. Formulation of objectives, hypothesis and research
questions. Significance and justification of the study. Conceptual or Theoretical framework. Types of
research designs: Ethnography, descriptive survey, case study, action/experimental, historic. Study

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area. Population and sampling procedures. Methods of data collection: design and administration of
instruments namely questionnaires, observation checklist, focus group discussion guide and
photography. Data collection procedures. Reliability and validity of research. Ethical considerations.
Data analysis, presentation and interpretation. Research proposal development, report writing and
dissemination.
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course, the student will be able to:
1. Elaborate in detail key research concepts
2. Design appropriate research instruments in the specific discipline
3. Collect, process and analysis data
4. Write a research proposal in one’s discipline
5. Identify a research problem and state it
COURSE OUTLINE AND SCHEDULE
WEEK LECTURE TOPIC LECTURE DETAILED OUTLINE
Introduction Definition of Research, Characteristics of Research,
1 Objectives of Research, Motivation of Research

Types of research Quantitative and Qualitative, Basic research/Fundamental

2 research, Applied Research, Descriptive research, Causal
Comparative research, Survey Research
Formulation of research Importance of objectives, Stating objectives, SMART,
3&4 problem and objectives Writing a problem statement

Continuous Assessment
5 Test

Literature review Purpose of literature review, Sources of Literature, Criteria

6 for evaluating information sources.

Research designs Experimental design, Descriptive design, Causal research

7 design, Correlation research design, Exploratory research
design
Population, Sample and Types of populations, Factors to consider in developing a
8&9 Sampling Methods sample design, Features of a good sample design, Reasons for
sampling, Sampling procedures: Probability and non-
probability sampling procedures

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 Continuous Assessment
10 Test

Variables Independent (Experimental) Variable (IV), Dependent

11 Variable (DV), Intervening (Mediating) Variables, Moderator
Variable, Control variable, Dummy Variables
Data collection Questionnaire method: advantages of questionnaires,
12 instruments Sequencing of questions in questionnares. Interview method:
importance of interviews, assumptions of the interview
schedule

13 & END OF SEMESTER EXAMINATIONS

14

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Regular attendance and participation in class discussions.

• Sitting all the required CATS and the final examination.
• Adequate preparation for every class.
• Completing the assignments on time.

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

• Lectures
• Open forum discussions
• Presentations
• Note taking

ASSESSMENT
Semester course assessments will include two continuous assessment tests (compulsory sitting CAT
and a written assignment). The distribution of Marks is as follows:

CAT 1 – 30%
CAT 2 - 30%
EXAM – 70 %

FINAL GRADE =CAT AVERAGE + EXAM

REQUIRED TEXTS AND JOURNAL ARTICLES FOR THE COURSE

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1. Creswell, J. W., & Clark, V. L. P. (2011). Designing and conducting mixed methods
research (2nd Ed). Los Angeles: SAGE.
2. Gerring, J. (2012). Social Science methodology: A unified framework. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press.
3. Jwan J. O.,& Ong’ondo C. O. (2011). Qualitative research: An introduction to principles
and techniques. Eldoret: Moi University Press.
4. King, N., & Horrocks, C. (2010). Interviews in Qualitative Research. London: SAGE
5. Kvale, S. (2009). InterViews: learning the craft of qualitative research interviewing. (2nd
Ed.). Thousand Oaks: Sage.
6. Kothari, C. R. (2003). Research methodology: Methods and techniques (2nd Ed). New Delhi:
WishwaPrakashan.
7. Mutai, B. K. (2014). How to write a research proposal: A complete simplified recipe (2nd
Ed). India: DreamWeb Solutions.
8. International Journal of Social Science Research and Practice. OCLC No. 889642886.

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