The Research Methodology and Applied Techniques module is envisaged to give the management cadre of the South African public and non-governmental organisational (NGO) sectors, of which you are a part, exposure to recent trends and developments in relation to applied research. We are concerned with these sectors sub-nationally, nationally, continentally and internationally. The overall MPA programme is aimed at providing a platform for expanding your knowledge in the public sector. We seek to develop human capital as effective and skilled researchers in the field of public governance. Generally, the programme offers you an opportunity to consolidate theory and practice of public governance within the governmental and NGO sectors.  The purpose is to promote critical thinking, reflection, analysis and synthesis by introducing you to academic research into various sub-fields of public governance.

This MPA research methodology course is designed for three overarching reasons.  First, you must have a grasp of philosophical worldviews, research design, strategies and methods to complete your dissertation.  Second, active participation in the world of research will be expected of a person with your academic credentials whether you are a practitioner, academic or a pracademic. After all, this qualification is pitched at NQF level 9 – just one level below the ultimate PhD at NQF level 10. Third, and very importantly, improved public governance, administration, management and policy implementation in South Africa and across the continent await the contribution that your research findings will bring to various sub-fields currently as an MPA student and in your future professional achievements.

The course will use the seminar format whereby the lecturer is a facilitator.  You are expected to regularly participate in class and in the e-learning activities on Moodle. Come to class fully prepared to proceed with activities scheduled for the block release sessions.  A great deal of teaching and learning in the module will occur on Moodle – including forum discussions that everyone will have the opportunity to lead, based upon your new knowledge.

The teaching philosophy is grounded in emancipatory education, meaning that your self-intelligence will be interrogated and will be expected to emerge in a way that you take considerable responsibility for integrating new knowledge into your existing wealth of knowledge that you bring to the classroom and online interface. The teaching strategy is ‘problem-based learning.’ Problem-understanding and problem-solving are multi-level.  First, there is the problem underlying the need for the research – which lives in the literature.  Second, there is the problem of how to design research that will get at the identified problems. Within the second level is the challenge of aligning components of the research. In other words, on the one hand, we will be conceptualising research problems and how to approach them. On the other hand, we will be dealing with problems in research such as how to align components and ensure ethical and rigorous research.