Pre-openseeds Course
The Why
OLS strives toward a future where research is open, diverse, and inclusive. So far, we’ve made significant strides through our cohort-based programs, aimed at empowering researchers to apply Open Science principles in their work.
However, a concern is that we meet researchers at a certain stage in their careers. This begs the question: “What is the plan for those who haven’t quite found their footing?”
This question weighs more on us, especially considering the barriers faced by individuals from underrepresented groups. We recognize the need for support and encouragement at earlier stages in their journeys.
Hence, we propose a new initiative: a beginner course designed to equip aspiring researchers with the knowledge, skills, and tools to embark on their journey. This course will serve as a stepping stone, preparing individuals for the more advanced concepts covered in our flagship programs like Open Seeds and Nebula.
The goal of this program is to non-violently push individuals to a point where they feel confident and ready to work openly. Perhaps, this is a way to broaden our reach and do greater good.
Introduction to Research Methods
Course Title: Beginner’s Guide to Research Methods
Prepared By: Open Life Science
Contact Hours: 3 hours weekly (1 hour cohort call; 2 hours of personal study)
Recommended Texts:
Course Description
This course provides an opportunity for participants to establish and/or advance their understanding of research. Designed for beginners, it covers the fundamentals of research — a basic introduction to the language of research, the scientific method, quantitative and qualitative data collection, and ethical considerations. Further on, the course dives into other aspects of research, such as literature review, hypothesis testing, and licensing. The participants will be expected to use their knowledge to begin critical review of literature relevant to their field or interests.
Course Outline
The following is an overview of the topics to be covered in this course. Each unit will include relevant theory, current research, and its application.
Week 0: Welcome!
Week 1: Understanding Research
- Introduction to research: What is research?
- The research process: Steps involved in conducting research
- Types of research: Exploratory, descriptive, experimental, and qualitative vs. quantitative research. Strengths, limitations, and applications in various disciplines.
Week 2: Mentor-Mentee
- Importance of research questions
- Characteristics of good research questions (including specificity, relevance, and feasibility).
- Techniques for formulating research questions
Week 4: Mentor-Mentee
Week 5: Literature Review and Background Research
- Purpose and significance of literature review.
- Searching and accessing scholarly literature (library resources, computerized databases, and web-based resources).
- Synthesizing information, identifying gaps in existing research, and determining the direction of a study.
Week 6: Mentor-Mentee
Week 7: Research Design
- Basics of research design: Experimental vs. non-experimental designs
- Variables: Independent, dependent, and control variables
- Sampling techniques: Random sampling, stratified sampling, convenience sampling
Week 8: Mentor-Mentee
Week 9: Data Collection Methods
- Surveys and questionnaires
- Interviews: Structured vs. semi-structured
- Observational research
- Experimental methods
Week 10: Mentor-Mentee
Week 11: Data Analysis
- Introduction to data analysis
- Descriptive statistics: Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and variability (range, standard deviation).
- Inferential statistics: Introduction to hypothesis testing and significance levels
Week 12: Mentor-Mentee
Week 13: Research Ethics
- Ethical considerations in research
- Informed consent and confidentiality
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process
Week 14: Mentor-Mentee
Week 15: Writing and Presenting Research
- Structure of a research paper: Introduction, methods, results, discussion, and conclusion
- Academic writing style and citation formats (e.g., APA, MLA)
Week 16: Mentor-Mentee
Week 17: Presenting Research
- Effective presentation skills: Creating slides, delivering presentations, and responding to questions
Week 18: Mentor-Mentee
Week 19: Project Management and Time Management
- Planning and managing a research project
- Setting timelines and milestones
- Dealing with setbacks and adjusting plans as needed
Week 20: Mentor-Mentee
Week 21: Peer Review and Revision
- Importance of peer review in research
- Strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback
- Revising and improving research projects based on peer feedback
Week 22: Graduation! 🎓
Learning Outcomes
Week 0: Welcome!
At the end of week 0, participants will:
- Become familiar with the course structure, schedule, and expectations. This preparation will facilitate engagement in the program.
- Connect with the organizers and fellow coursemates to establish a collaborative and supportive learning community.
- Reflect on their motivation for joining the course and set personal goals for their learning journey.
Week 1: Understanding Research
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Articulate a clear definition of research and an understanding of its purpose.
- Describe the steps involved in conducting research.
- Distinguish between different types of research methodologies, such as exploratory, descriptive, and experimental approaches.
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Explain the significance of research questions in guiding the research process.
- Recognize how well-crafted questions contribute to the clarity and focus of a study.
- Discuss the characteristics of good research questions.
- Employ various techniques for formulating research questions through hands-on exercises.
Week 5: Literature Review and Background Research
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Grasp the purpose and significance of conducting a literature review.
- Describe the role of literature review in contextualizing research and informing the direction of their own study.
- Demonstrate practical skills in searching and accessing scholarly literature using various resources.
- Identify key themes in research publications, as well as the existing knowledge gap.
Week 7: Research Design
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Grasp the fundamental concepts of research design, distinguishing between the various types, with an understanding of the advantages and limitations.
- Identify and differentiate between variable types, understanding their roles in experimental studies and their impact on research outcomes.
- Describe the sampling techniques and their applicability to different research contexts.
Week 9: Data Collection Methods
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Understand the data collection methods, learn how to design, administer, and analyze survey instruments effectively.
- Differentiate between structured and semi-structured interviews, describing when and how to use each approach.
- Describe how to systematically observe and record behaviors or phenomena in natural or controlled settings.
- Evaluate the causal relationships between variables and the importance of experimental design, control, and manipulation of variables for valid and reliable results.
Week 11: Data Analysis
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Provide a basic overview of the data analysis techniques and their usefulness in deriving meaningful insights from research findings.
- Explain the measures of central tendency and variability, highlighting how they enable researchers to summarize and interpret data distributions effectively.
- Grasp the basics of inferential statistics, including hypothesis testing and significance levels, using them to make informed conclusions and decisions based on sample data.
Week 13: Research Ethics
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Discuss ethical considerations inherent in research, recognizing the importance of maintaining integrity and protecting the rights and welfare of research participants.
- Understand the principles of informed consent and confidentiality, how to obtain it voluntarily from participants and safeguard their privacy throughout the research process.
- Express knowledge of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process and understand its role in ensuring research compliance with ethical standards and regulations.
Week 15: Writing and Presenting Research
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Outline the structural components of a research paper as it relates to organizing research findings.
- Discuss academic writing style conventions and citation formats for proper attribution of sources.
- Through hands-on activities and peer feedback, learners will develop essential skills in writing and presenting research, honing their abilities to communicate their findings clearly, logically, and persuasively to academic audiences.
Week 17: Presenting Research
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate proficiency in creating engaging and informative presentation slides, incorporating visual aids and multimedia elements to enhance audience comprehension and engagement.
- Develop effective public speaking skills, mastering techniques for delivering presentations confidently, articulately, and persuasively.
- Refine their ability to listen actively and respond to questions, comments, and feedback gracefully and professionally.
Week 19: Project Management and Time Management
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Employ acquired project management skills needed for planning and executing research projects.
- Demonstrate competency in time management, utilizing strategies to prioritize tasks, manage deadlines, and balance competing demands effectively throughout the research process.
- Appreciate the need for resilience and adaptability; know how to adjust plans as needed to navigate setbacks and unforeseen challenges in research projects.
Week 21: Peer Review and Revision
At the end of this call, learners will be able to:
- Recognize the significance of peer review in ensuring the quality of research outputs; understand its role in providing constructive feedback, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and promoting accountability and transparency in scholarly endeavors.
- Cultivate effective strategies for giving and receiving constructive feedback, honing their abilities to provide thoughtful critiques, offer actionable suggestions, and communicate feedback in a professional and respectful manner.
- Engage in the revision process