Apart from helping participants become better at the design and implementation of questionnaires and rating scales, the course also aims to develop a heightened awareness of the strengths and limitations of questionnaires and rating scales as methods of data collection. Research Methods in Education . Surveys in Social Research . Research Methods in Psychology . Questionnaire Design, Interviewing and Attitude Measurement .
Case studies concern a topic rather than a method.
Case studies aim for an in-depth understanding of the topic examined and the way the parts relate together, rather than to make a broad sweep as in a survey, or to manipulate variables as in an experiment. They describe and explain rather than measure. Observation, interview and documentary analysis are key methods, although surveys, focus groups and other methods may be added in as well. The sessions will define case study research and offer examples of a range of studies, with discussion of their design, methods, analysis, ethics and the complications of reliability and validity. There will be practical guidance on using theories and methods in doing case studies.