Critical Research: Foundation, Futures & Skills

Critical Research (Foundation, Futures + Skills)

Traditionally, research approaches could be categorised in ways such as science, humanities or art practice-based research. Increasingly, inter- and multi-disciplinary movements are calling for more collaboration between these areas, while preserving an empirical (evidence-based) approach.



What will I be doing?

This Certificate provides an overview of the empirical research process, theories and methods so as to provide students with the insight, language and skills required to carry out empirical research in a range of disciplines. Throughout the course the research methods are discussed in the context of real research studies. The course emphasises questions, discussion and debate around the content.

What topics will I study?

The content may vary from year to year and at times the work can be driven by a student’s own interest. The general content is as follows:

• The research process,

• What makes good research,

• Research paradigms,

• The role of the internet in supporting research,

• Research ethics,

• Hypothesis generation and testing,

• Research design,

• Surveys and online questionnaires,

• Ethnographic research,

• Experimental designs,

• Observation studies,

• Tests and scales,

• Mixed-method approaches,

• Analysis and interpretation (qualitative and quantitative),

• Proposal writing,

• Publishing research,

• Communication of results,

• Critical thinking skills.

Minimum Entry Requirements

Undergraduate qualification of 2nd Class Honours or higher at Honours Degree level.



Applicants may also be considered provided they can demonstrate Honours Degree equivalence, which can be verified through the RPL (recognition of prior learning) process.



Shortlisted applicants may be called for interview.



Portfolio: No

Application Deadline

Applications will open late November 2024 for September 2025 admissions.



Generally, courses will remain open to applications until all places are filled.

20 weeks, part -time. One evening per week, 17:00 - 19:30

Classes are delivered online from late September 2025 - mid March 2026.



There is a possibility that one or two classes may be face to face, in which case these classes will also be made available online.

Course dates: late September 2025

Future careers

On successful completion, students will be able to:

• Develop appropriate and interesting research questions,

• Design an empirical research study (e.g. experiment, survey, observation, interview, use of tests and scales),

• Identify and evaluate alternative research designs,

• Critically evaluate empirical research findings and reports,

• Communicate the findings of an empirical research study to a wider audience through alternative methods (e.g. poster, website, oral presentation, empirical APA style report).



The knowledge and skills you have acquired will be invaluable in a wide range of careers and activities, and so can be applied to virtually any research related endeavour. This course will be highly relevant to individuals who:

• Wish to update or develop their research skills,

• Want to become familiar with the latest trends or debates in research,

• Are currently engaged in an on-going research project,

• Would like to engage in multi-, cross- or inter-disciplinary work.