Research Methods is a foundational course unit designed to equip you with the core principles, frameworks, and practical skills required for rigorous academic research. The course introduces the philosophical foundations of research, including key epistemological and methodological perspectives that inform how knowledge is generated and evaluated. You will explore the full research process from identifying and refining research problems, formulating questions and hypotheses, to selecting appropriate research designs. Emphasis is placed on both qualitative and quantitative approaches, covering methods such as surveys, experiments, interviews, and document analysis. The course also introduces mixed-methods research and the rationale for integrating multiple approaches. The key principles such as validity, reliability, rigor, reflexivity, and ethical responsibility are examined in depth, enabling you to critically assess research quality and integrity. Practical techniques for data collection, sampling, and basic data analysis are introduced, alongside guidance on interpreting findings and presenting results in scholarly manner. By the end of this course unit, you will be able, and required, to design a coherent research proposal, critically evaluate existing studies, and select appropriate methodological techniques to address academic research questions.