Study Guide for RSH381
Study Guide
Research Methods 381
Academic Year 2025
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
Study Guide for RSH381
“Research has shown that it takes 31 days of conscious effort to make or break a habit. That
means, if one practices something consistently for 31 days, on the 32nd day it does become
a habit. Information has been internalized into behavioral change, which is called
transformation.”
Shiv Khera
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form by means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the written consent of the publisher.
Academic Year 2025
Version 2.0 (January 2025)
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
Study Guide for RSH381
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MODULE DESCRIPTION ........................................................................................................................... 4
OUTCOMES ............................................................................................................................................. 4
STUDENT SUPPORT ................................................................................................................................. 4
ASSESSMENT PLAN ................................................................................................................................. 5
ASSIGNMENTS/PROJECTS ................................................................................................................... 5
STUDENT RESOURCES ............................................................................................................................. 5
RECOMMENDED READING.................................................................................................................. 5
STUDENT MATERIAL............................................................................................................................ 5
TECHNOLOGY (HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE) REQUIRED ..................................................................... 5
LESSON PLAN OUTLINE ........................................................................................................................... 7
OUTCOME BREAKDOWN ........................................................................................................................ 7
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
Study Guide for RSH381
MODULE DESCRIPTION
Module Name Research Methods 381
Module Code RSH381
Qualification Bachelor of Computing
NQF Level 7
Duration (weeks) 3
Pre-requisites STA281
OUTCOMES
Purpose
The focus of this module is to provide the student with all the requisite knowledge combined with
practical hands-on expertise in using tools and techniques to successfully complete an academic
research project. Much emphasis is given to the research process and methodologies appropriate to
the study undertaken.
Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this module, the student will be able to demonstrate:
• Show an understanding of knowledge as contested and the ability to develop a research
agenda, hypothesis and problem formulation.
• Demonstrate integrated knowledge of the research process, understanding of theories,
research methodologies, methods and techniques relevant to the field.
• Show an understanding of research process and design as contested and the ability to
evaluate types of knowledge typical within the study field at hand.
• Show an understanding of a range of research methods (i.e. hypothesis, data gathering and
research formulation in construction of a research study).
• Conduct a research study using a range of acquired research methods.
• Identify and address ethical issues related to population and sampling validation, data
collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative and or qualitative data.
• Develop and communicate ideas and opinions through the research study using well-formed
arguments and appropriate academic sentiments to a panel of any audience.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Please contact your lecturer for subject-related support. The lecturers presenting this subject are:
• Dr. J. Mentz – mentz.j@[Link]
• Dr. A. Mazorodze – mazorodze.a@[Link]
• Mr. C. Ruiters – ruiters.c@[Link]
• Mr. S. Ruwende – ruwende.s@[Link]
• Dr. H. Machingauta - machingauta.h@[Link]
• Dr. A. Kelil – kelil.a@[Link]
If the lecturers were unable to assist, you can also contact the department head for this module:
• E. van Niekerk – vniekerk.e@[Link]
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
Study Guide for RSH381
Further student support services are available via the counsellors:
• Lethlabile L. Selamolela – selamolela.l@[Link]
• Mathapelo Leshilo – leshilo.m@[Link]
• Alisha Blom – narine.a@[Link]
ASSESSMENT PLAN
ASSIGNMENTS/PROJECTS
Assignment 1 weight: 10% Assignment 1 due date: 17/02/2025
Assignment 2 weight: 15% Assignment 2 due date: 24/02/2025
Assignment 3 weight: 25% Assignment 3 due date: 03/03/2025
Research proposal 50% Proposal due date: 30/04/2025
EXAMINATION / PROJECT-BASED ASSESSMENT
The final assessment is a research proposal to be submitted during the first quarter examination period.
STUDENT RESOURCES
Which resources will be used during this module?
RECOMMENDED READING
Shatiya, K, Lloyd, N., McKay, S. (2022) Introduction to University Writing. B.C. Open Collection.
Location (URL) University Writing
Davies, C., 2020. A quick guide to quantitative research in the social sciences.
Location (URL) Quantitative research in social sciences
Tucker, A. and Chafe, P., 2018. Write Here, Right Now: An Interactive Introduction to Academic Writing and
Research.
Location (URL) An Interactive Introduction to Academic Writing and Research
Scotland, J., 2012. Exploring the philosophical underpinnings of research: Relating ontology and
epistemology to the methodology and methods of the scientific, interpretive, and critical research
paradigms. English language teaching, 5(9), pp.9-16.
Location (URL) Exploring the philosophical underpinnings of research
Bhattacherjee, A., 2012. Social science research: Principles, methods, and practices. USA.
Location (URL) Social science research
STUDENT MATERIAL
Item Location
Content on Moodle The relevant Moodle course
PowerPoint slides Distributed to students via Moodle
Exercises / Activities Dispersed throughout the course on Moodle. Some quizzes are to be
hosted on AssessmentQ.
TECHNOLOGY (HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE) REQUIRED
Software/Hardware Responsible lecturer, availability on campus, recommended versions
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
Study Guide for RSH381
Microsoft Office Already installed on all PCs
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
Study Guide for RSH381
LESSON PLAN OUTLINE
Date Specific outcomes (SO) to be covered / Class Activity / Assessment
Day 1 Introduction to Research
Day 2 The Research Problem
Day 3 The Research questions and objectives
Day 4 Formulating hypotheses
Day 5 Assessment 1: The Problem
Day 6 Literature Review
Day 7 Writing and reviewing of literature
Day 8 Application of concepts
Day 9 Application of concepts
Day 10 Assessment 2: Literature Review
Day 11 Research theories & paradigms
Day 12 Research methodologies
Day 13 Research methodologies
Day 14 Ethics & Sampling
Day 15 Assessment 3: The Methods
OUTCOME BREAKDOWN
1. Introduction to Research
o Research-oriented vs the software developer mind
o How does research impact us?
o Defining research
o The research process – read, think, write, repeat.
o A structure – the research proposal
2. The Research Problem
o Identifying a research topic
o Using Chat-GPT as a tool
o The research problem as a golden thread
o Criteria for formulating a research problem
o The problem statement
o From research problems to research questions to objectives
o Formulating a statement
o Chat-GPT as a tool in statement formulation
3. Formulating hypotheses
o What is a hypothesis?
o When are hypotheses required?
o Formulating a hypothesis
o Comparison: hypothesis vs problem statement
4. Literature Review
o Review of academic writing
o What is a literature review and how is it related to the golden thread?
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
Study Guide for RSH381
o Steps in doing a literature review – the process.
o Finding information
o Critical analysis of information found and integration
5. Research theories & paradigms
o Defining theory & paradigm
o Types of theories
o Role of theories in research
o Theoretical frameworks
6. Research methodologies
o Quantitative research
o Quantitative data generation and collection
o Quantitative data analysis
o Qualitative research
o Qualitative data generation and collection
o Qualitative data analysis
7. Ethics & Sampling
o Populations and samples
o Sampling types
o Probability and non-probability
o Ethical issues concerning participants and researchers.
o Ensuring ethical research
o Ethical use of ChatGPT
Student Study Guide – © Belgium Campus January 2025
