Research Methodology

Throughout the Research Methodology course students develop research skills. As this course is part of the Master Digital Forensics, the workshops and skills taught are focused on research within the digital forensic field.

 The research methodology course is based on 3 pillars;  

I) a critically inquisitive attitude,  
II) being able to use literature (and research) of others (scholars) and  
III) being able to conduct a practice-based study independently.  

The course is part of the Master Digital Forensics, a two-year part-time program. The course has a study load of approximately 140 hours (5 ECTS). Our education is offered in a hybrid format, providing the option to follow lectures online except for several mandatory on-campus meetings.

What you will learn

During the workshops of Research Methodology, insight is offered into the following components: what scientific research is, what a research cycle looks like, what role literature has, and how we deal with references responsibly. It also covers formulating a research objective, the central question (the research topic), and related research questions.

Students later translate this into their own research design. Subsequently, research methodology takes center stage at the workshops. This form determines the (philosophical) starting points of the study, associated research designs, different forms of data collection, and data analysis.

Finally, attention is paid to formulating findings, translating the literature and data for professionals (recommendations), and critical reflection. Additionally, in this course there is a focus on developing students’ critical thinking skills and abilities while they are conducting research within the digital forensic field.

After completion

• You can: formulate a research objective
• You know: how to make your own research design
• You understand: what scientific research is