Online Microcredential in Business & Management

Research Methods

Learn effective research methods for conducting academic and professional research with Griffith and Deakin University.

Created by

Deakin UniversityDeakin University

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Co-created by

Griffith UniversityGriffith University

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Uncover the value of effective professional and academic research

Effective research allows us to make informed, evidence-based decisions and solve problems on a global scale.

On this microcredential, you’ll advance your research skills for professional work and academic study.

You’ll get insight into the real-world application of research methods and techniques through several research case studies.

As you learn to use data to make recommendations, you’ll assess research approaches and practise research techniques including interviewing, coding, and statistical analysis.

The microcredential will be assessed on your development of a feasible research proposal.

As a result, you’ll gain the skills to enhance your business career or work successfully in doctoral research.

There are over 100,000 doctoral researchers in UK higher education alone, with the number forecast to rise. Being able to conduct research enhances your job chances – 19 out of the 20 largest Australian companies now have PhD graduates in their executive teams.

Each Australian University in Australia has its own credit system, this microcredential offers credit towards a Postgraduate degree at Griffith or Deakin Universities. The below table outlines the equivalence of credit across institutions:

Deakin University Griffith University ECTS*
1 credit 10 credits 7.5 credits

*European Credit Transfer System

This microcredential meets the standards set by the Common Microcredential Framework.

Download video: standard

Skip to 0 minutes and 7 seconds Are you thinking about research? Whether you already have a project in mind or need some inspiration to get started, this program has been designed for aspiring researchers just like you. Hello, I’m Chris Stevenson from Deakin University. And I’m Nick Barter from Griffith University. We’ve come together to bring you a series of courses to teach you how to develop a feasible research proposal. Successfully completing the final assessment in the program can lead to university credit. We’ll guide you through all the essentials– everything from qualitative and quantitative methodologies, through to ethics and planning. The program is really flexible and designed for people who are new to research, or those wanting to refresh their knowledge and skills.

Skip to 0 minutes and 59 seconds You can study at your own pace. Just choose the dates that suits you best. If you’re ready to solve problems and make a difference in your workplace, the community, or our wider society, come join us on this program and learn how to conduct robust research. As part of your final assessment, you’ll have the opportunity to have your research proposal assessed by independent experts, which means you can get embark on your research project with confidence. With the support and know how of two leading universities behind you, there’s never been a better time to unlock your research potential. See you soon.

What skills will you learn?

  • Problem analysis
  • Coding for research
  • Statistical analysis
  • Critical thinking
  • Research interview techniques
  • Problem-solving
  • Ethical governance
  • Research project planning
  • Research techniques

What you will achieve

By the end of the microcredential, you’ll be able to...

  • Identify and present on why your research matters
  • Evaluate the roles of quantitative methodologies and theoretical frameworks in your research
  • Define a researchable problem
  • Apply ethics to your research project
  • Create and communicate a research plan

Are you eligible for this microcredential?

There is no prerequisite requirement for this microcredential.

You’ll be assessed on your development of a research proposal which you’ll work towards throughout the program by keeping a portfolio of potential research topics, approaches and refined research questions.

To claim credit towards a degree at Griffith or Deakin University, you must pass this assessment and meet all entry requirements relevant for the course you’re applying to, including English language proficiency.

Is this microcredential right for you?

This microcredential is designed for anyone who is currently or planning to conduct quality professional standard research, either in a workplace or academic context.

If you’d like to improve your ability to conduct effective research, this microcredential will support you to learn and understand the practical research methods and techniques required.

Syllabus

What happens before, during, and after your microcredential

  • Before learning

    You’ll have access to the microcredential welcome area to introduce yourself and familiarise yourself with the microcredential structure and course materials.

  • Course

    From 30 Aug 2021

    Research Methods

    Explore what research is and why it’s so important to us all. Find out how to make evidence-based decisions.

    13 weeks

    10 hours per week

    • Week 1

      What is research and what is evidence?
      • Let's get started
      • Why does research matter?
      • What is evidence?
    • Week 2

      Evidence-based decisions and research paradigms
      • Evidence-based practice
      • Demystifying research approaches
      • Research approaches in practice
      • Weekly wrap
    • Week 3

      Assessment task 1
      • Getting started with assessments
      • You've got this!
      • Your first task: the overview
    • Week 4

      What is qualitative research and how does it help us?
      • Let’s get started on qualitative research
      • When is qualitative research the way to go?
      • Introducing common approaches to qualitative research.
      • Weekly wrap
    • Week 5

      Conducting Qualitative Research
      • How do qualitative researchers collect their data?
      • Capturing stories with the interview
      • Planning your qualitative research project
    • Week 6

      Designing a study
      • Let's look at why numbers matter
      • Building a picture of your problem
      • Applications of quantitative research
      • Study design
    • Week 7

      Statistics
      • Introduction to statistics
      • Averages, proportion and distribution
      • Cause, effect and correlation
      • Your study design
    • Week 8

      Ethical principles in research
      • Let's look at ethics
      • Our inherent differences necessitate agreed protocols
      • Does the end justify the means?
      • Weekly wrap
    • Week 9

      Ethics approval and beyond
      • Research involving people or animals
      • Ethics beyond humans and animals
      • Preparing for your ethics application
    • Week 10

      Identifying your research question
      • Your research proposal
      • Your research question
      • Your literature review
      • Your research approach
    • Week 11

      Assessment task 2
      • Your second task: the literature review and research plan
    • Week 12

      Your research method
      • Your research method
      • Assessing the impact of your research
      • Presenting your proposal
    • Week 13

      Assessment Task 3
      • Communicating effectively to the right audience
      • Communication skills
      • Academic integrity
      • The program wrap up
  • After learning

    You’ll receive a Certificate of Completion and digital badge from Deakin University and Griffith University.

What you will receive

Academic credit at Postgraduate level from Deakin University and Griffith University

The academic credit earned from this microcredential is equal to one unit of postgraduate study at both Deakin and Griffith University.

This academic credit can be used as prior learning toward these degree programs.

Find out how credits work and where you can use them in our FAQs.

A Digital Badge from Deakin University and Credly

image ⬅️ Click this image to see more information about the digital badge you will receive upon successful completion, validated by Acclaim.



Learn more about this organisation

What is a microcredential?

Microcredentials are designed to upskill you for work in rapidly-growing industries, without the time and cost commitment of a full degree. Your microcredential can stand alone as an independent credential, and some also offer academic credit to use towards a degree.

Learn online with expert instructors

Complete online courses led by experts over multiple weeks with a dedicated group of professionals.

Complete project-based assessments

Test your understanding with online tutor-marked assessments and exercises.

Earn a professional credential

Finish your learning and pass your assessments to gain an accredited credential.

Advance further in your career

Use your microcredential as evidence of your specialised skills and progress further in your industry.

Career-focused learning by Deakin University

Deakin University is one of Australia’s largest universities with more than 61,000 students and over 15,000 online.

  • Established

    1974
  • Location

    Melbourne, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 280Source: QS World University Rankings 2021

Career-focused learning by Griffith University

Griffith University was created to be a different kind of university—challenging conventions, responding to trends and pioneering solutions through innovative teaching and research.

  • Established

    1971
  • Location

    Queensland, Australia
  • World ranking

    Top 210Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021

Delivered by experts

Nick is an academic with a focus on developing frameworks to allow corporate strategists to realise sustainable strategies and expanding online education to as many learners as possible

is a Professor and the Associate Director of the Centre for Research in Assessment and Digital Learning. He researches higher education, feedback, cheating, assessment and research methods.

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When would you like to start?

Enrolment for this microcredential is closed. We aim to run our microcredentials every few months. Register to find out more about this microcredential and future start dates.

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    FAQ

    We can accept payments made by card (Visa, Mastercard and American Express) or PayPal via our online system.

    You will have 14 days from the day the course starts to apply for a refund. If this Microcredential has any non-refundable costs they will be stated in the ‘Overview’ section above. You can find more information in our cancellation and refund policy.

    Microcredentials are designed to fit around your life and timezone.

    There may be live events as part of your studies, but these will be recorded and can be watched afterwards if you aren’t online for the live broadcast.

    No, microcredentials are designed to be taken anywhere in the world. You won’t need the right to study in the country where the university offering the microcredential is based.

    This microcredential has been co-developed by Griffith and Deakin University at an AQF9 (Masters level) standard and provides Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) into a wider range of degrees at both universities, find out more here.

    As there is no standard for credit in Australia, at Deakin University this credential equates to one point of academic credit and at Griffith University it equates to 12 points of academic credit. However, the academic credit earned from this microcredential is equal to one unit of postgraduate study at both Deakin and Griffith University.

    Want to know more? Read the microcredential FAQs, or contact us.