Delivery format
Online
Course overview
This course will teach you the necessary skills to successfully analyse and evaluate published research as well as conduct original research. You will cover various topics which include finding relevant literature and research design, and you will be able to present your research findings.
This short course covers the techniques needed to critically appraise published research, and carry out a piece of original research. Topics include the scientific method applied to human services, literature search techniques, research design, sampling, the organisation of a research project, research ethics, measurement techniques, the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, the presentation of results, and dissemination.
Course delivery
By the end of this short course you should be able to:
- Complete a literature search on a defined topic.
- Prepare a research proposal with an appropriate research design, measurement, sample, and consideration of ethical issues sufficient to be approved by an ethical committee.
- Critically appraise a recent published research paper.
- Analyse a set of qualitative data.
- Analyse a set of quantitative data.
Course dates
The module is run twice every year.
Dates for 2025/26 are TBC. The course normally runs September - January and again in January - April.
Please contact researchmethods@contacts.bham.ac.uk for exact dates.
Assessment
One 3000-word essay
Credits
20 credits
Teaching staff
Academics involved in the delivery of this module
Qulsom Fazil
Lecturer in Disability Studies and Behavioural Science, Module Co-ordinator for the Research Methods Module
Department of Applied Health Sciences
Staff profile page for Dr Qulsom Fazil, Lecturer in Disability Studies and Behavioural Science, Department of Applied Health Sciences.
Entry requirements
For further information, please contact the programme team at researchmethods@contacts.bham.ac.uk
Fees and scholarships
Fees for 2025/26 entry
Microcredential (Home): £1,211.20
Microcredential (International): £3,260
Application process
You can study this course as a microcredential.
Why choose a Postgraduate Microcredential short course?
- Microcredentials offer the perfect opportunity to boost your CV without the commitment of a full degree
- Usually taken from existing modules within a Masters, they can be used as standalone credentials with some also counting as academic credits at postgraduate level
- Add a postgraduate level qualification to your CV
- Develop the specialist skills you need for your career goals
- Alumni status with the University of Birmingham
- Learners will have the same access to our student support and campus facilities as our students on full degree programmes.
Please note the deadline for submitting an application:
- Applicants eligible for Home fees are to apply a minimum of 6 weeks before the module start date.
- Applicants eligible for Overseas fees are to apply a minimum of 3 months before the module start date.
Please note that once registered for the microcredential you cannot swap for the non-credit short course version.