RES - Research Methods

This course develops advanced academic writing through qualitative research and analysis. Emphasis is placed on crafting research questions, engaging with diverse sources, and synthesizing evidence to support original ideas. Writing assignments highlight the role of perspective, cultural context, and rhetorical strategy in shaping arguments for different audiences. Work produced in the course develops the ability to communicate ideas with rigor and relevance across academic, professional, and civic contexts.

In this course, students will identify a research topic, conduct experiments, analyze data, and formulate conclusions. Students will have the ability to present their research study at NLU's Annual Research Symposium and potentially an external conference in a student research category.

This course introduces students to foundational skills in academic writing and research through the process of developing a literature review. Students will conceptualize a research question, find and critically evaluate sources, synthesize evidence, and ethically integrate source material into their work. Students will utilize a variety of tools for locating and selecting information sources, including library databases and AI tools for academic research. This course will be especially useful for students preparing for upper-level undergraduate coursework or graduate programs.

This course explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping the processes of academic inquiry and information creation. Students learn to use AI tools alongside traditional research methods in order to locate, evaluate, and synthesize information effectively. Emphasis is placed on developing information literacy skills that support critical engagement with AI-generated content, transparency in research practices, and ethical use of digital tools. Students investigate how AI influences the broader information landscape, including questions of authorship, credibility, and equity, and engage in research projects that integrate human judgment with responsible and informed AI assistance.

This course introduces students to basic research concepts and methods with particular emphasis on the role and application of logic, scientific inquiry, culturally informed and ethical approaches to building knowledge and evaluating practice. The course addresses the strengths and limitations of common research designs, the use of statistical data, skills for critical review of research literature, and the significance of a multi-disciplinary approach to inform and improve practice, policy and service delivery. The issue of research-informed practice and practice-informed research is explored as it pertains to the values and ethics of social and behavioral science disciplines.

This is a gateway course that reviews the principles of graduate academic writing and introduces students to principles and methods of applied research for social sciences and professional programs. The course emphasizes the research context for decision making, problem-solving, information assessment, and clear communication of findings. It prepares students to apply writing and research skills to both future coursework in their respective programs and their professional careers. This is an advanced standing course that may count toward both, baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Pre-requisite(s): Completion of 90+ QH; and CGPA of 3.0 or higher; or permission of the Program Chair/Director or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 5 quarter hours

This is a gateway course that reviews the principles of graduate academic writing and introduces students to principles and methods of applied research for social sciences and professional programs. The course emphasizes the research context for decision making, problem-solving, information assessment, and clear communication of findings. It prepares students to apply writing and research skills to both future coursework in their respective programs and their professional careers. Pre-requisite(s): Admission to a GSBL graduate program or part of the Undergraduate concentration courses in Health Services Administration as Advanced Pathways to Graduate Programs. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course provides an overview of quantitative and qualitative approaches used in identifying and solving challenges in a wide variety of fields, including business and management, health and human services, and social and behavioral sciences. Aided by spreadsheet applications software, students gather, sort, and manipulate data; compute statistics related to central tendency and variance; identify trends and patterns; forecast/predict future values of data; and coupled with information gathered in qualitative analysis, recommend actions and/or identify opportunities for additional research and inquiry. They further communicate their findings to varied audiences in visually rich communications. Pre-requisite(s): Graduate standing; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course introduces students to doctoral studies and methods of conducting and evaluating research in their areas of interest. Students will critically analyze issues of social justice in research, and acquire knowledge and skills to explore researchable issues and questions. They also learn how to develop plans to conceptualize and implement research projects. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course is designed to introduce and orient students to the advanced writing requirements of a doctoral program, as well as introducing students to writing resources (e.g. navigating library and technology systems). Students reflect on their doctoral studies as it relates to their work experiences and career aspirations. As a result of this reflection, students create a formal, APA-style written document which investigates a relevant issue from their area of study in a disciplined empirical inquiry. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This quantitative course provides students with skills necessary for the survey research process used across the disciplines of business, education, and the behavioral sciences. The goal is to familiarize students with survey design and analysis. Approaches include item construction, sampling, reliability, validity, and data analysis and interpretation using SPSS. The final product is a completed prospectus reflective of the survey design. It is strongly recommended that students take this course only in their final semester. Pre-requisite(s): None. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

In this course students study methodologies, assumptions,. and techniques for collection and analysis of. organizational data. The course includes a review of current research and trends in data-driven decision making. Throughout the course students analyze cases to develop a practitioner's knowledge of research, evaluation, and data use for organizational improvement. Pre-requisite(s): RES 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course provides an introduction to quantitative methods for research. Topics covered include research design, statistical inference and significance testing, correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, regression, and non-parametric tests for categorical data. Pre-requisite(s): RES 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Prior undergraduate or graduate course in statistics recommended. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours

This course develops and enhances the knowledge of qualitative research methods. Students explore diverse and complex contexts of research and ways to conceptualize, conduct, and evaluate qualitative research with an emphasis on research designs and strategies for data collection and analysis. Students engage in critical discussions surrounding qualitative research validation criteria, research ethics, aesthetics, and other considerations. Pre-requisite(s): RES 600; or permission of Program Chair or designate. Co-requisite(s): None. 3 semester hours