Competences

a. Initiate and devise qualitative, or quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;

b. Evaluate and critique the advantages and disadvantages of qualitative or quantitative research,
or mixed methodology approach;

c. Develop a comprehensive understanding of the different styles of qualitative, quantitative
research, or mixed methodology approach and the different instances when each can be used;

d. Conducting a review of the available literature and developing a critique disposition;

e. Become sensitive to the general ethical issues in research.

Knowledge 

a. An array of qualitative, quantitative research methods, or mixed methodology approaches;

b. Notions of validity, positionality, reliability, ontology, and epistemology, generalisation and its
limits, replication;

c. Writing a research proposal;

d. The research problem/question, hypothesis and null hypothesis;

e. Correlational research;

f. Participatory research;

g. The importance of piloting a study;

h. Critically assess the process of sampling for reliability;

i. Become acquainted with the division of chapters in a dissertation and the scope of each chapter;

j. Comprehensively identify the ethical responsibilities of the researcher and knowledge of ethical issues as identified by Accredited Research Bodies;

k. Understand what plagiarism is and how it can be avoided;

Skills

a. Critique the different methodologies and their application;

b. Devise interviews and questionnaires;

c. Employ different methods of qualitative and quantitative research, or mixed methodology approach;

d. Systematically analyse qualitative and quantitative data, and interpret results;

e. Organise the research project with consideration given to managing time, resources, reading material, ideas and concepts for best results when conducting research;

f. Comprehensively identify the most relevant literature for the research and develop a coherent link between the research question/s, the literature, the research design and the discussion of the findings;