Research Methods

Course description

**What is special about this course?**

Do you want to develop your expertise in a range of both qualitative and quantitative research and apply this to real-world issues? If so, then the PgCert in Research Methods could be the course for you.

This fully online programme is designed for students who wish to develop their research skills and will equip successful students with excellent skills to carry out research of a professional standard. The choices offered in the programme enable students to examine quantitative and qualitative methods in depth and also become competent practitioners in mixed methods and action research.

Research methods training is a cornerstone for success at doctoral study and successful completion of this programme will enable you to take the necessary steps towards this. You will be encouraged to think critically about the selection of appropriate approach to your research and select the most appropriate strategy for collecting and analysing data.

**Special features**
◾You can study fully online through the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), which means you can fit your studies around your personal and professional commitments.
◾You will develop an in-depth and reflective understanding of the research process.
◾This course will help research students to understand the professional, regulatory and related contexts of research, and to do so in such a way as to facilitate the development of career planning skills.
◾There is a face-to-face induction, (though not compulsory, is strongly recommended) which is designed to introduce you to the use of learning technologies and to help individuals to network with others on the course and to think about their own development needs in relation to it.

**How long will my course last?**
◾Full-time: 1 semester (3 modules across 1 semester)
◾Part-time (structured): up to 2 years

**Please note that UHI North Highland, UHI Outer Hebrides and UHI West Highland have changed their names to become UHI North, West and Hebrides. This will not impact on your choice of course or how and where you will study.**

Subjects

• Study skills
• Research methods
• Information science
• Applied statistics
• Statistics
• Operational research