Research Methods in Religion and Social Sciences: A Module for Beginners

Description

This module of Research Methods in Religion and Social Sciences is a particular prerequisite for Research Projects, as sometimes is a requirement in classes of Religion and Social Sciences in general. It introduces you to knowledge and understanding of the main issues in Religion and Social Science research. It also introduces you to contemporary research approaches as well as equipping you with skills for undertaking research projects in Religion and Social Science. At the same time, the module will take you through the major steps of research methodology as well as some of the most current research designs in Religion and Social Science. The module is designed to accord you flexibility in your study through distance and work-based learning. Consequently, learning objectives and tools have been pointed out to ease your understanding. To enhance active learning, the module has provided exercises, case studies, and encourages you to attempt the provided activities and self-check exercises. This is a foundation course for the students taking courses in Religion and general area of Social Sciences. At the end of each topic, you will be required to respond to a number of questions.  The module covers the following six main topics: Introduction to research; Special research perspectives in religion; Major steps in research; Research design; Techniques of data collection and analysis and Report writing.

Dr. Ochieng Lukes Ahaya holds B.Ed (Arts) degree from Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. He also holds M.Phil. and D.Phil. degrees in Religion both from Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya. Dr. Ahaya is currently a lecturer and Chair of the Social Science Education Department at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). He has a bias towards Islamic and African Religious Studies, with particular reference to the general area of religion and social change. He has research interest in the area of evolving nature of religion in the public sphere.