Being a researcher (in Information Science and Technology)
- 4.9
Course Summary
This course is designed for students, researchers, and professionals who want to learn about research methods in social sciences. It covers the fundamental principles of research design and methodology, including qualitative and quantitative research methods, data collection, and analysis.Key Learning Points
- Learn about research design and methodology in social sciences
- Understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Develop skills in data collection and analysis
- Apply research methods to real-life scenarios
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Understand the basic principles of research design and methodology
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Apply research methods to real-life scenarios
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of social sciences
- Access to a computer and internet connection
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
- Video lectures
Similar Courses
- Introduction to Social Research Methods
- Qualitative Research Methods
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Dr. Robert Yin
- Dr. Gary King
Related Books
Description
The course provides a broad view of how to become and progress as a researcher. It spans over a wide range of topics, from the historical development of scientific thought to research methodology, to the pragmatics of publication, research funding, evaluation, and promotion in a researcher’s career. It also stresses the ethical aspects of research. Although the course speaks about scientific research in general, it especially focuses on the field on Information and Communication Science and Technology.
Outline
- WEEK 1 - Research and its context
- Introduction to the course and to the first week
- What is science? What is scientific research?
- Scientific progress and the progress of society
- Research, innovation and public engagement
- Weekly Quiz 1
- WEEK 2 - Research Methodology
- Introduction to research methodology
- The scientific method: a historical perspective
- Lesson learned from the history of science
- The logic of scientific discoveries
- The limits of discoveries
- Experimental validation of research results
- Weekly quiz 2
- WEEK 3 - The products of research: publications and beyond
- Introduction to research diffusion
- Writing a research paper
- The peer review process
- The publication world
- Other forms of diffusion
- Towards open access
- Weekly Quiz 3
- WEEK 4 - The researcher's progress
- Introduction: am I fit for research?
- Researcher in formation
- Acquiring and mastering the necessary skills
- The indipendent researcher
- Weekly Quiz 4
- WEEK 5 - Evaluating research
- Introduction to evaluation
- Evaluation of researchers in their career
- Quantitative research evaluation via bibliometrics
- Conclusion and recommendations
- Weekly Quiz 5
- WEEK 6 - Research ethics
- Introduction and some general principles
- Additional general principles
- Research ethics pragmatics
- Topic specific ethical questions
- Weekly Quiz 6
Summary of User Reviews
The Being a Researcher course on Coursera has received positive reviews from many users. The course has been praised for its comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of research. One key aspect that many users thought was good is the practicality of the course, which provides hands-on experience in conducting research. However, some users have mentioned a few cons, such as the lack of interaction with the instructor and the high cost of the course.Pros from User Reviews
- Comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of research
- Practical approach with hands-on experience in conducting research
- Flexible schedule that allows learners to complete the course at their own pace
Cons from User Reviews
- Lack of interaction with the instructor
- High cost of the course
- Some learners found the course difficulty level to be too high
- Some learners found the course content to be too basic
- Some learners experienced technical issues while taking the course