COURSE INFORMATION Course Title: RESEARCH METHODS

Code	Course Type	Regular Semester	Theory	Practice	Lab	Credits	ECTS
CE 503	B	3	3	0	0	3	7.5

Academic staff member responsible for the design of the course syllabus (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature)	Prof.Dr. Hüseyin Bilgin hbilgin@epoka.edu.al
Main Course Lecturer (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	Prof.Dr. Hüseyin Bilgin hbilgin@epoka.edu.al , Fridays, 11:00-12:00
Second Course Lecturer(s) (name, surname, academic title/scientific degree, email address and signature) and Office Hours:	NA
Language:	English
Compulsory/Elective:	Compulsory
Study program: (the study for which this course is offered)	MSc in Civil Engineering, Profile: Structural Engineering
Classroom and Meeting Time:	Thursdays 17:00-20:50 hrs
Teaching Assistant(s) and Office Hours:	NA
Code of Ethics:	Code of Ethics of EPOKA University Regulation of EPOKA University "On Student Discipline"
Attendance Requirement:	See EPOKA University attendance policy!
Course Description:	The course aims at providing students with practical knowledge and skill of processing and interpreting empirical data as related to students´ research. Specifically, at the end of this course, you should be able to: 1. Define research; explain and apply research terms; describe the research process and the principle activities, skills and ethics associated with the research process. 2. Explain the relationship between theory and research. 3. Describe and compare the major quantitative and qualitative research methods in mass communication research. 4. Propose a research study and justify the theory as well as the methodological decisions, including sampling and measurement. 5. Understand the importance of research ethics and integrate research ethics into the research process. 6. Be able to assess and critique a published journal article that uses one of the primary research methods in the field. 7. Be able to construct an effective questionnaire that employs several types of survey questions.
Course Objectives:	Understanding and applying the elements of good research design for Civil Engineers is the primary focus of this course. These elements include the critical synthesis of literature and prior knowledge, formulation of research questions, composition of research hypotheses, proper design of field data collection and experiments, collection and analysis of data (observational and experimental), modelling of stochastic data, and interpretation and dissemination of research results.

BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE COURSE

1	This course provides an information to doing science research on a safety and security related matter.
2	Foundations of research
3	Research ethics

COURSE OUTLINE

Week	Topics
1	Introduction to research methodology
2	Importance of research in decision Making
3	Defining research problem and formulation of research problem
4	Research designs: Exploratory, Descriptive, And Experimental.
5	Data collection and measurement:-Methods and techniques of data collection
6	Data presentation and analysis: Data processing,
7	Report Writing and presentation: Content of reports, formatting of content, and presentation of reports
8	Presentation
9	Presentation
10	Presentation
11	Presentation
12	Presentation
13	Presentation
14	Discussion

Prerequisite(s):	Enrolment in Master of Engineering (Civil)
Textbook(s):	1 C.R. Kothari. "Research Methodology - Methods and Techniques", 2nd Edition, New Delhi, New Age International (P) Limited, 2003. 2 Eileen M. Trauth. "Qualitative Research in IS: Issues & Trends”, USA/London: IDEA Group Publishing, 2001. (ISBN: 1-930708-06-08)
Additional Literature:
Laboratory Work:	NA
Computer Usage:	SAP2000, ETABS, PERFORM 3D, ZEUS NL, MATLAB, MATHCAD.
Others:	No

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1	formulate a research question and research aim within their discipline
2	develop a research plan for their MSc thesis
3	conduct and write a literature review based on the research plan with a view to selecting appropriate methodologies for their MSc thesis
4	communicate effectively and defend a research plan both orally and in writing
5	demonstrate high personal ethics and academic conduct
6	critically evaluate an MSc level research plans

COURSE CONTRIBUTION TO... PROGRAM COMPETENCIES (Blank : no contribution, 1: least contribution ... 5: highest contribution)

No	Program Competencies	Cont.
MSc in Civil Engineering, Profile: Structural Engineering Program
1	an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering	1
2	an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs	2
3	an ability to function on multidisciplinary teams	3
4	an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems	3
5	an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility	4
6	an ability to communicate effectively	5
7	the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global and societal context	3
8	a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life long learning	4
9	a knowledge of contemporary issues	3
10	an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice	3
11	skills in project management and recognition of international standards and methodologies	2

COURSE EVALUATION METHOD

Method	Quantity	Percentage
Project	1	100
Other	1
	Total Percent:	100%

ECTS (ALLOCATED BASED ON STUDENT WORKLOAD)

Activities	Quantity	Duration(Hours)	Total Workload(Hours)
Course Duration (Including the exam week: 16x Total course hours)	16	3	48
Hours for off-the-classroom study (Pre-study, practice)	14	4	56
Mid-terms			0
Assignments	4	12	48
Final examination			0
Other	2	17.75	35.5
Total Work Load:			187.5
Total Work Load/25(h):			7.5
ECTS Credit of the Course:			7.5

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE COURSE LECTURER

See Epoka University rules and regulations!