This course offers a comprehensive introduction to research methodology within the social sciences, equipping students with both the theoretical foundation and practical skills necessary to design and conduct rigorous, ethical, and contextually relevant research. It explores key elements of the research process—including research design, problem formulation, literature review, data collection and analysis, and proposal writing—through both qualitative and quantitative lenses.
Grounded in diverse epistemological frameworks, the course emphasizes the importance of paradigms, ethical considerations, and methodological appropriateness. It integrates African and global perspectives, enabling students to critically assess dominant research traditions while embracing alternative, decolonial, and indigenous approaches.
By the end of the course, students will be able to develop a full research proposal, critically analyze academic sources, and apply appropriate research methods to real-world social issues, making them well-prepared for thesis writing, applied research, or policy and practice engagement.
