Research Foundations

What research is, how to ask a question worth answering, which method fits it, how evidence can fool you, how to stay honest, and how to plan your first project.

18 video lessons · about 40 min · free certificate

1. Watch · module 1What research is3 lessons

   • What research is3 min
   • Basic, applied and development work2 min
   • The scientific method2 min
   • Practice quiz: What research is4 min
2. Watch · module 2Asking a good question3 lessons

   • From a topic to a question2 min
   • The FINER test2 min
   • Hypotheses and variables2 min
   • Practice quiz: Asking a good question4 min
3. Watch · module 3Types of research3 lessons

   • Quantitative and qualitative research2 min
   • Experiments and observational studies2 min
   • Choosing a method2 min
   • Practice quiz: Types of research4 min
4. Watch · module 4Evidence and doubt3 lessons

   • Correlation is not causation2 min
   • Bias: how evidence fools us2 min
   • The reproducibility crisis2 min
   • Practice quiz: Evidence and doubt4 min
5. Watch · module 5Integrity and ethics3 lessons

   • Research misconduct2 min
   • Research with people and their data2 min
   • Using AI tools honestly2 min
   • Practice quiz: Integrity and ethics4 min
6. Watch · module 6Planning a project3 lessons

   • Scope and timeline2 min
   • Finding a mentor2 min
   • Writing a one-page proposal2 min
   • Practice quiz: Planning a project4 min