Quantitative research is the backbone of evidence generation across virtually every field of professional and academic inquiry, including health and epidemiology, economics, education and the social sciences. It provides the structured, systematic basis on which decisions are made, interventions are evaluated, and knowledge is advanced. Yet many researchers and postgraduate students who engage with quantitative methods lack a coherent understanding of the full research process. This course addresses that gap.
This course provides a rigorous grounding in quantitative research methodology from inception to completion, covering the design of studies, the operationalisation of research questions, the collection and management of data, and the analysis and reporting of findings. Participants will also develop the critical appraisal skills needed to engage meaningfully with published research and apply evidence appropriately in their own professional and academic contexts.
The course draws on examples and exercises from multiple disciplines, making it equally relevant to researchers from diverse fields. No prior statistical training is required, though participants should have a general familiarity with research in their field.
The objectives of the quantitative research methodology course are fold-fold.
Research design and protocol development: Participants will understand the landscape of quantitative research paradigms and study designs, including observational and intervention studies, and evaluate their relative strengths and weaknesses. They will formulate clear research questions, hypotheses, and SMART objectives; align study objectives with the appropriate study population and methodology; and develop the skills to write a well-structured research protocol.
Sampling, data collection and ethics: Participants will understand the concept of sampling, the principles of statistical power and sample size calculation, and a range of probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling techniques. They will examine quantitative data collection methods and engage with the ethical principles and practical requirements that govern responsible research practice.
Quantitative analysis and research validity: Participants will produce and interpret descriptive statistics and be introduced to inferential statistics, with an understanding of the concepts of validity and reliability. They will identify the threats that undermine research credibility and apply appropriate approaches to controlling for them in both study design and analysis.
Reporting and critical appraisal: Participants will develop the skills to write clear, well-structured research reports and protocols, and to critically appraise published quantitative research — evaluating the strength of evidence and the validity of conclusions drawn.
The course includes a significant number of individual and group exercises, including classroom and take-home exercises, culminating in each team of participants presenting a final report.
After completing this course, participants will leave with a clear understanding of what makes quantitative research valid and defensible, as well as the practical skills to identify and address methodological threats that undermine research credibility. Participants will be able to independently design and conduct rigorous quantitative studies, making sound methodological decisions at every stage, from research question formulation and study design through to sampling, data collection, analysis and reporting. They will also develop practical skills in using artificial intelligence tools to support key stages of the research process.
In-Person:
Virtual:
For more details about our services contact:
Dimakatso Mofokeng
info@cesar-africa.com
+27 11 403 1411
