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Level 4 Diploma in Accounting and Business

Types and Approaches of Academic Research

AB401 · Academic Writing and Research Skills — Week 3 of 16

CourseAB401
Week3 of 16
SemesterI
TutorOnline in the course chat

This week’s topics

Types and Approaches of Academic Research

  1. Qualitative versus quantitative research
  2. Exploratory, descriptive, and explanatory research
  3. Primary versus secondary data sources
  4. Empirical research designs
  5. Qualitative vs Quantitative vs Mixed Methods Research: How To Choose Research Methodology
  6. 1.3 Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory Nature Of Research
  7. Research questions: Descriptive, exploratory, explanatory and evaluative questions

What you will be able to do

  • 1.3 Discuss different types of academic research.
  • 2.3 Differentiate between primary and secondary research.

Activity

Start with this week’s 3 videos, then: Seminar, guided reading and a short written task: discuss different types of academic research.

Study materials

Videos

  • Qualitative vs Quantitative vs Mixed Methods Research: How To Choose Research Methodology · YouTube · Grad Coach · 18 min · for registered students
  • 1.3 Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory Nature Of Research · YouTube · MeanThat · 6 min · for registered students
  • Research questions: Descriptive, exploratory, explanatory and evaluative questions · YouTube · Mark Saunders on Research Methods · 7 min · for registered students
  • Qualitative And Quantitative Data - What Is The Best Research Approach? · YouTube · Dr Hayley Stainton | Tourism Teacher · 9 min · for registered students
  • The Research Onion Made EASY! Simple Research Methods Template For Your Methodology Chapter · YouTube · Dr Hayley Stainton | Tourism Teacher · 8 min · for registered students
  • Quantitative Research For Beginners | What Is Quantitative Data? · YouTube · Dr Hayley Stainton | Tourism Teacher · 9 min · for registered students
  • Qualitative Research For Beginners | What Is Qualitative Data? · YouTube · Dr Hayley Stainton | Tourism Teacher · 19 min · for registered students

Further resources

  • Principles of Sociological Inquiry, ch. 5: Research Design · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 51–65 · for registered students
  • Writing Guide, 12.1: Primary and secondary research · PDF · OpenStax, textbook chapter; pp. 391–392 · for registered students
  • Business Communication for Success, ch. 8.2: Qualitative and quantitative research · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 308–314 · for registered students
Materials marked “for registered students” open in the student portal, which is set up as soon as you receive final acceptance.
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Admitted students ask questions on this week’s page in the student portal: an AI assistant trained on the course answers first, and during the course’s timetabled classes Connect to your tutor brings your tutor into the chat, who may start a call if needed.

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Course plan
  • Week 1: Introduction to Academic Research and Writing
  • Week 2: Academic Writing Conventions
  • Week 3: Types and Approaches of Academic Research
  • Week 4: Evaluating Sources of Information and Evidence
  • Week 5: The Academic Research Process
  • Week 6: Foundations of Critical Thinking
  • Week 7: Critical Thinking Skills and Argument Evaluation
  • Midterm: Midterm evaluation
  • Week 9: Components of a Valid Academic Argument
  • Week 10: Deductive and Inductive Reasoning
  • Week 11: Structuring and Drafting Academic Arguments
  • Week 12: Applying Academic Writing and Research Skills in practice: …
  • Week 13: Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing
  • Week 14: Assignment workshop: drafting, feedback and improvement
  • Week 15: Review and coursework completion
  • Final: Final assessment and submission
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